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.

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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 ... >>

Ultrasound against cancer cells 04.01.2020

Most ultrasound treatments for cancer use high-intensity radiation to heat and destroy cells. In this case, special contrast agents can be used, which "mark" the tumor and allow you to focus the radiation in the desired area. However, heat to some extent harms healthy cells, and contrast agents act on only a small part of tumors. Researchers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and the Beckman Research Institute (National Medical Center City of Hope, USA) have developed a cancer treatment method in which low-intensity ultrasound causes the destruction of the cellular skeleton of cancer cells, while neighboring healthy cells do not suffer. . The Solid Mechanics Laboratory at Caltech previously developed a theory of cancer treatment based on the idea that cancer cells are vulnerable to ultrasound at a specific frequency, which depends on mechanical and structural properties. ... >>

New Wireless File Transfer System 03.01.2020

Vivo, Oppo and Xiaomi announced the creation of an innovative wireless file transfer system for users around the world. The new technology, an initiative of the Peer-to-Peer Transmission Alliance, enables fast one-touch file transfers between branded devices. The new system will allow customers of these three brands to easily transfer files between mobile devices without the need for third-party apps or network connections. The technology supports receiving and sending a wide range of documents: photos, videos, music and other formats. The move comes in anticipation of the ubiquity of 5G networks, with average file sizes expected to increase along with increased content diversity. Vivo, Oppo and Xiaomi have a large user base and this partnership will benefit a significant number of consumers worldwide. For vivo, this is an opportunity to provide customers with a unique, safe and ... >>

ODROID-GO Advance Retro Game Console 03.01.2020

The South Korean company Hardkernel has introduced an updated version of its own portable retro game console called ODROID-GO Advance, which is able to emulate different platforms that were popular in the past. The console received a 3,5-inch LCD display with a resolution of 480 x 320 pixels, which is enclosed in a transparent plastic case. To interact with the gadget, there are 10 input buttons, an analog joystick, and a direction indicator. The hardware basis of the device is a Rockchip RK3326 single-chip system with four Cortex-A35 processing cores operating at a frequency of up to 1,3 GHz. The Mali-G31 MP2 accelerator is responsible for graphics processing. The configuration is complemented by 1 GB of DDR3L RAM, as well as 16 MB of SPI Flash memory for the bootloader. There is a slot for a microSD memory card, a standard 3,5 mm headphone jack, a USB 2.0 interface, and a 0,5 W mono speaker. Battery is used as power source ... >>

Performed quantum teleportation 02.01.2020

Scientists from the UK and Denmark have conducted the world's first quantum teleportation - they were able to transfer the quantum state of a particle between two chips. This should be the cornerstone for quantum communication technologies. The accuracy of data transmission was 91%. Scientists from the University of Bristol in the UK and the Technical University of Denmark have created chip-like devices that can generate and manipulate individual light particles in programmable nanoscale circuits, thus implementing the laws of quantum physics. These chips are able to encode quantum information in the light that is generated inside the circuit and can process this information with high efficiency and extremely low noise. The invention should help humanity move on to creating more complex circuits for quantum computing and communications than those that exist today. Initially, the photons in each chip were in the same quantum state. Then each chip was ... >>

Coffee without coffee beans 02.01.2020

An American startup, having studied the chemical composition of coffee beans, created the world's first coffee, for the preparation of which they are not needed. By studying the chemical composition of various types of coffee, scientists were able to recreate its key elements, namely the smell, color, texture, and left the caffeine. They decided to just take away the bitterness, since the vast majority of coffee lovers interrupt it with sugar or cream. Coffee without coffee beans does not harm the environment, as traditional coffee does. The demand for it is increasing from year to year, which means that the crops of grains are expanding and harming the environment. On sale a new type of coffee will appear in 2020 in Seattle. ... >>

Chinese navigation system BeiDou 01.01.2020

After years of development, China's BeiDou (BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, BDS), which is the Chinese equivalent of the US GPS, European Galileo, and Russian GLONASS, is nearing a climax. Project Manager Ren Chengki reported that the main constellation of BeiDou satellites has been formed - the last 56th and 57th satellites, they are also the 23rd and 24th satellites from the main constellation of the third-generation Beidou positioning system, were launched on December 23 by a Long March 3B rocket . Since the launch of the first third-generation BeiDou satellites in November 2017, China has conducted a total of 18 launches, in which 30 satellites have been launched. In total, since 2000, when the deployment of the BeiDou satellite system began, the project has launched 57 satellites, including four test vehicles. BeiDou went into commercial operation at the end of 2012 as a regional ... >>

Galactic snows 01.01.2020

Many people think that the matter of the Universe is mainly collected in the stars and a little - in the planets circling around them. This is not so: the mass of the matter of stars is only 5% of the mass of the total matter. And the main contribution is made by clouds of interstellar and intergalactic gas. It turns out that star snow can come from these clouds. Astrophysicists led by Dr. Jeremy Lee from the University of Hong Kong unexpectedly came to this conclusion. And the object of their research was the so-called globular clusters of stars. It is traditionally believed that such clusters formed a very long time ago, almost at the birth of the Universe, perhaps even before the appearance of galaxies. Astronomers find globular clusters at the periphery of galaxies. For example, the Milky Way has 15 such satellites, and some of them are clearly visible in the night sky, because they contain from tens of thousands to millions of luminous stars. In large galaxies, the number of globular clusters is in the tens of thousands. Since the clusters arose long ago, they ... >>

A computer the size of a business card and a millimeter thick 31.12.2019

Embedded systems engineer George Hilliard has created a computer that resembles a business card in size and design. He managed to reduce its cost to a minimum - his creation can be considered almost the cheapest computer in the world. The computer is only stylized as a business card - Hilliard designed the card and printed it on a full-fledged two-layer printed circuit board. The thickness of the PC varies from 1 mm at the location of the components to 2 mm at the USB connector. This was necessary so that when connected to the USB connector, the computer was firmly held in it. The cost of a PC business card, according to the engineer himself, does not exceed $2,88. At the same time, it can be used not only as a computer, but also as a USB drive. But still, in terms of its capabilities, Hilliard's brainchild falls short of popular single-board computers, including the Raspberry Pi Zero, which costs a little more - $ 5. On the other hand, in comparison with this model, a business card computer has ... >>

Hotel for robots 31.12.2019

At the International Space Station, the American aerospace agency NASA plans to create a "robo-hotel" RiTS (Robotic Tool Stowage) for RELL (Robotic External Leak Locators) devices. According to the agency, the first visitors to the "hotel" will be two RELLs who will be used to search for oxygen leaks outside the station. Robots will be in the "hotel" if they are not needed for work. There they will be protected from space threats: radiation, temperature differences and micrometeorites. Such a "hotel" will make it easier to find RELLs and launch them for work. ... >>

MCP1811/12 - a family of linear regulators with ultra-low quiescent current 30.12.2019

When developing portable devices, special attention should be paid to the choice of voltage converters. They should be small, have low self-consumption, and have a minimum of passive components in the harness. Microchip offers a solution - a new family of LDO controllers MCP1811/12. Despite the UDFN's tiny 1mm x 1mm package, the regulator can deliver up to 300mA of output current. At the same time, the quiescent current is only 250 nA, and in the Shutdown mode it can drop to 5 nA. With these features, the MCP1811/12 is well suited for small, portable, battery powered applications. The regulators are available with nine fixed standard output voltages: 1, 1,2, 1,8, 2,0, 2,5, 2,8, 3,0, 3,3 and 4.0 V. The voltage drop at 300 mA is 400 mV. Another feature of the MCP1811/12 is that only one ceramic capacitor with a capacity of 1 uF is sufficient for stable operation. It takes up little space ... >>

Metal nanowire network with brain-like features 30.12.2019

An international collaborative research team led by the National Institute of Materials Science (Japan) has succeeded in creating a neuromorphic network composed of numerous metallic nanowires. Using this network, the team was able to create electrical characteristics similar to those associated with higher-order brain functions unique to humans, such as remembering, learning, forgetting, becoming alert, and returning to calm. The team then figured out the mechanisms that triggered these electrical characteristics. The development of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques in recent years has advanced rapidly and has begun to influence our lives in various ways. Although AI processes information in a similar way to the human brain, the mechanisms by which the human brain works are still largely unknown. The main components of the brain, such as neurons and the connections between them (synapses), have been studied in detail. However, many are still waiting for answers. ... >>

Image sensors for car headlights 29.12.2019

The Japanese company Koito has introduced a new development - car headlights with a built-in image sensor. As conceived by the developers, the presence of a sensor allows you to get the feedback necessary for adaptive light control in real time. In particular, based on the photometry data, the headlight controller can reduce the brightness and direction of the beam if there is a slope, snow cover or large area road signs that reflect the light ahead. In this way, the driver and the cameras of the driver assistance systems will not be dazzled by reflected light. And in the case of approaching the rise, more comfortable conditions for other vehicles will also be created. ... >>

A metallic substance that does not conduct heat when an electric current is passed 29.12.2019

Researchers from the American National Laboratory at Berkeley have discovered a new substance that, being in a metallic state, conducts electricity well, being, at the same time, a thermal insulator. This feature of this material can be very useful in some areas, however, it fundamentally breaks all established principles and understanding of how electrical conductors work. The properties of a substance discovered back in 2017 violate the Wiedemann-Franz law, according to which the thermal conductivity of a conductive material is proportional to its electrical conductivity. It is in accordance with this law that things such as electric heaters, electromagnets and electric motors become warm and even hot during their use. The substance detected is vanadium dioxide (VO2), a material that under normal conditions is a transparent dielectric. But when the temperature rises above 67 degrees Celsius, this material ... >>

Record for the longest stay of a woman in space 28.12.2019

American astronaut Christina Koch set a new record for the longest space flight for a woman, having spent more than 288 days on the International Space Station (ISS). American astronaut Christina Koch has not yet completed her work on the ISS, but has already broken the record - for the duration of uninterrupted stay in space among women. The American spent 289 days on the space station - which is a day more than the previous record set by astronaut Peggy Whitson. Koch arrived at the International Space Station on March 14. According to the NASA schedule, she will stay in space until February 2020 - and thus, will come close to the record for the stay of NASA astronauts on the ISS, which was set by Scott Kelly and is 340 days. Typically, astronauts stay on the ISS for six months. ... >>

Named the most difficult year in the history of mankind 28.12.2019

Various studies have shown that the most difficult year for people was 536 AD, when a fog of unknown origin descended on Eurasia. According to historian Michael McCormick, this year can be considered a period worse than the plague of 1349. 536 can also be considered worse than 1918, when a strain of influenza arose that killed 100 million people. As the historian from Byzantium, Procopius of Caesarea, noted, the territory of Europe, the Middle East and Asia was covered with thick fog, which did not descend for 18 months. People lived for such a long period in twilight. More than one million people suffered from the cataclysm with a 100% probability. To find out what really happened, scientists examined the ice from the Swedish glacier. He allowed to know that in 536 AD. A volcano has erupted in Iceland. Ashes enveloped all of Eurasia. The eruptions were repeated in 540 and 547, they significantly weakened the European economy for a century. ... >>

Speech found in the motor cortex 27.12.2019

We know that the brain is divided into zones that each specialize in their own function: for example, the hippocampus is the center of memory and orientation in the locality, the visual cortex processes signals from the eyes, etc. Recently, we hear every now and then that the most specialized areas of the brain - at least some of them - may well take on extraneous work, and the same visual cortex may well begin to "see" sounds. Researchers at Stanford have shown a rather interesting example of how we can be surprised by some area of ​​the cerebral cortex that we are accustomed to associate with a certain function. Among the convolutions of the cortex is the so-called anterior central gyrus, which controls movements, and various zones within this gyrus are specialized in the movement of a certain part of the body. Initially, Sergey Stavisky and his colleagues worked with paralyzed people who, using electrodes implanted in the brain, recorded the activity of motor neurons. ... >>

DJI ATV with Stabilized Camera 27.12.2019

Leading drone manufacturer DJI appears to be working on a new product that is significantly different from its current devices. The company has patented a small all-terrain vehicle equipped with a camera with stabilization. According to the document, the "ground drone" is a platform with wheels, tires with treads and a suspension with active and passive shock-absorbing elements. All this provides mechanical stabilization of the camera when driving on uneven surfaces. The image below is not just a schematic drawing, as is commonly found in patent applications. It looks like a detailed drawing of a real device. It is not yet clear what such a rover is intended for, but there are several assumptions. It can be used for rescue, military, research or production tasks, as well as for the provision of services for the delivery of goods. Its main advantage over conventional drones is autonomy. If the DJ ... >>

External flash for smartphones Apple iPhone 26.12.2019

Chinese smartphone accessories manufacturer Anker has announced an LED flash that can be connected to Apple iPhone 11 and 11 Pro smartphones using a Lightning cable. An important feature of the novelty is the Made for iPhone (MFi) certificate. The iPhone LED Flash works with the standard Apple camera app and third-party camera apps. The manufacturer claims that its flash shines "twice as far and four times brighter" than the built-in flash. One charge of the flash battery lasts approximately 10 shots. For charging, the Lightning connector is used (but not the built-in cable, which only serves to connect to a smartphone). The scope of delivery includes a diffuser for softer illumination. The flash body has a standard quarter-inch tripod mount. The flash should be available in January for $000. ... >>

Methane beer festival 26.12.2019

The contributions of humanity to the formation of a warm blanket of our planet from greenhouse gases, although insignificant, are numerous. And methane, which, in terms of its harmfulness, that is, its heat-holding capacity, gives a twenty-fold head start to carbon dioxide, is one of the most important. This means that the fight against methane emissions is a serious task for climate advocates. And in order to fight seriously, you need to study the enemy well. It would seem that he noted for himself that cows give a hundred million tons of methane per year, became a vegetarian and calmed down in the hope that he had made a feasible contribution to the uncompromising struggle for the cold. But even in this case, you can’t relax, because the enemy has many faces and can lurk in an unexpected place. Let's take folk festivals. It would seem, where is the emission of methane? But Chen Jia and Florian Dietrich from the Technical University of Munich, with the help of Dutch colleagues and smart devices, got close to the famous Munich beer festival - Oktoberfest. According to them, in 16 days on the central square of Mu ... >>

Ionistors increased the autonomous mileage of an electric motorcycle 25.12.2019

Nawa has unveiled an electric motorcycle with a hubless rear wheel that significantly outperforms most similar vehicles on a single charge. This feature of the prototype called Racer is due to the use of Nawa's main product - ionistors. The battery with a capacity of 9 kWh is supplemented with ionistors with a capacity of 0,1 kWh. Their addition made it possible to recover 80-90% of the braking energy - much more than can be obtained in the case of lithium-ion batteries. The following data allow us to evaluate the gain: the same motorcycle with ionistors can travel 300 km without recharging from the network, and 180 km with the same battery, but without ionistors. In the silver block, which is visible in the photo, the upper part is reserved for the ionistors, and the lower part is for the batteries. Since supercapacitors are made of carbon, they are relatively inexpensive and weigh only 10 kg, but adding them is equivalent to increasing battery capacity by 65%. To get the same increase with ordinary p ... >>

Sea water will replace heavy metals in batteries 25.12.2019

IBM Research has found a way to replace heavy metals in batteries. Using three new and different patented materials never before combined for batteries, IBM Research scientists have been able to find chemical elements that can be extracted from seawater. The technology of semantic enrichment made it possible to obtain the optimal composition of the electrolyte from materials that are not named by experts, using artificial intelligence and machine learning methods. This, as conceived by the authors of the project, will make it possible to abandon nickel and cobalt. It is stated that the discovery will be able to reduce the cost of batteries, increase the charge rate (by 80% in 5 minutes) and energy storage density, as well as increase power and reduce the risk of ignition. The resulting battery has an energy storage density relative to volume of 800 Wh per liter, and a power density of 10 W per liter. New technologies could help create low-cost, high-capacity batteries that ... >>

Friendship prolongs life 24.12.2019

Psychologists, doctors and zoologists regularly remind us that loneliness is bad, but friendship is good. It's not just that a friend can come to the rescue in difficult times. Social isolation, as shown by numerous studies, has a bad effect on immunity, badly affects brain neurons, and generally harms the body as a whole. Long-term observations of rhesus macaques by staff at the University of Exeter once again confirm the benefits of friendship: female macaques who had close friends lived longer than others. Moreover, the stronger the social connection between the females, the more likely they were to survive: macaques with the strongest friendship had an 11% less chance of dying within a year. However, the researchers assessed not only the friendship between individual individuals; they also compared such friendships to wider social life - for example, when a macaque has many good acquaintances in general, or when a macaque communicates not only within its own subgroup (its ... >>

Do not charge your smartphone at night 24.12.2019

Experts say that gadgets that are left connected to the charger all night still reduce battery life faster. Experts assure that if the mains adapter is left connected to a fully charged smartphone, this leads to a faster change in the chemical composition of the battery, which negatively affects both its service life and the rate of discharge. Battery degradation, experts say, occurs despite the fact that major smartphone manufacturers install overcharge protection. In addition, they note the recommendation of device manufacturers to keep the battery within 30-50 percent, even when the gadget is not in use. A 100 percent charge, as well as a complete discharge, are equally harmful to the battery. However, some experts believe that this thesis is outdated, because it does not take into account modern technologies for the production and optimization of batteries. When the smartphone battery reaches 100% charge, ... >>

Malarial mosquitoes sense toxins 23.12.2019

Researchers at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM, UK) have identified a protein in the legs of malaria-carrying mosquitoes that "warns" the insect of toxic substances such as insecticides. Scientists studied Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii - the two main vectors of malaria in West Africa - and found that a specific family of binding proteins located in the legs of insects was highly expressed in resistant populations. This mechanism allows mosquitoes to bypass the pesticide trap. The danger signaling protein is called SAP2. It has been found in large numbers in populations that are resistant to pesticides. Scientists also noticed that it is actively synthesized after contact with pyrethroids, a class of insecticides. When the gene coding for SAP2 was partially turned off, the protein level dropped - and pyrethroid sensitivity was restored; and vice versa, when the protein was expressed in large quantities, previously defenseless trans ... >>

A new value for the upper limit of the neutrino mass has been established 23.12.2019

An international team of researchers using a new highly sensitive spectrometer has found a new upper limit on the mass of elusive neutrino particles. Until recently, it was believed that neutrino particles have no mass at all, but the results of some studies indicate the fallacy of such a judgment. And, of course, the next logical step should be to determine this mass, and this is done by gradually narrowing the range between the upper and lower limits of this value. Scientists have long been able to find evidence that the mysterious neutrino particles exist in reality, their number, according to assumptions, is a billion times greater than the number of atoms in the universe. However, despite such an abundance of these particles, scientists have only made limited progress in studying their properties. And these properties must include a lot for our understanding of the physics of processes occurring at the smallest level. Back to measuring ma ... >>

Unmanned robots will charge electric vehicles 22.12.2019

Volkswagen has developed a technology that will allow owners of electric vehicles to charge their cars anywhere, including places located far from power outlets. Instead, a mobile battery will be used. According to the idea of ​​Volkswagen Group Components engineers, charging terminals for mobile batteries will be located in the parking lots. These batteries will be moved by an unmanned robot, which will roll the battery to the car, connect it and disconnect it at the end of the charging process, in order to then deliver the battery to the charging site. Each battery has a capacity of 25 kWh and supports charging up to 50 kW. Owners of electric vehicles will be able to invite charging robots either through a mobile application, or the robot will independently detect a vehicle that needs charging and connect it to the battery. ... >>

Full support for USB 5.6 standard will appear in the Linux 4 kernel 22.12.2019

The release of a major Linux kernel update 5.5 with many new features in the stable branch is not expected until the end of next month, but the next version of Linux with serial number 5.6, which is expected to be released by April, already looks like a very remarkable update. The fact is that, along with other changes, a built-in VPN WireGuard and full support for the latest USB 4 interface are expected there. The industry organization USB Implementers Forum has published the final specification of the USB 4 (or USB 4.0) standard, whose distribution will mark the end for the old USB Type-A connector (finally!), in September. Recall that USB 4 uses a physical USB Type-C connector, is characterized by a bandwidth of 40 Gb / s and is backward compatible with USB 2, USB 3, Thunderbolt 3 and DisplayPort video output. Then in October, Intel released a series of patches for basic USB 4 support on Linux. And now it has come to the implementation of full support. So the Linux 5.6 kernel will support USB ... >>

Memory depends on the time of day 21.12.2019

If you're trying to remember something and you can't, don't get frustrated - try stretching your memory at other times of the day and you may well remember everything you need. Researchers from the University of Tokyo and Tokyo Agricultural University showed mice different objects, so that they remember them, and then, after some time, observe how well the mice remember them. If the mouse studied the subject for a short time, it means that it remembered it quite well, and if it took a long time, it means that it managed to forget it. The objects were shown to mice just before when the animals usually wake up (that is, in the evening, because mice are nocturnal animals), and their memory was checked either a day later, that is, again before natural awakening, or immediately after the mice usually went to sleep (that is, eat very early in the morning). In the first case, when a day passed between acquaintance with a new thing and remembering, the mice did not remember it well; in the second case, when the thing was shown to them after they ... >>

Lego - the perfect heat insulator 21.12.2019

Researchers at Lancaster University have concluded that Lego bricks and structures similar to them made of ABS plastic (acronitrile butadiene styrene) and air-filled cavities are a strong thermal insulator at cryogenic temperatures. The scientists were convinced that the structures created from the popular constructor provide better thermal insulation than the known materials for bulk insulators, and at the same time are significantly cheaper than the materials currently used - Macor glass or Vespel plastic. Experiments have confirmed that thermal insulation is provided by the very structure of the cubes and the minimum contact area between separate elements. The authors of the paper emphasized that they do not expect a big difference in the performance of parts made of ABS and other types of plastics. The results of the study can be used in various fields, and in particular in the creation of quantum computers and reducing their cost. ... >>

Less work in winter 20.12.2019

For many of us, winter, with its short cold days and long frosty nights, makes us feel unwell. It is more difficult for us to wake up and it is very difficult to force ourselves to work. As a result, we fail. For a small portion of the population that experiences seasonal affective disorder (SAD), things are even worse - winter turns into a debilitating blues. At the same time, people experience hypersomnia (daytime sleepiness) and they are more often in a bad mood than a good one. In addition, they experience a pervasive sense of worthlessness. Depression is a common occurrence for the winter period. Suicide rates are on the rise and productivity in the workplace is falling. Especially in January and February. All this is easily explained by winter gloom - a rather vague idea. But there is also a scientific reason for SAD. If our internal clock is out of sync with our work schedule, shouldn't our workday be adjusted to match it? "If our internal clock tells us to wake up at 9:00 because of a dark ... >>

bee blindness 20.12.2019

An experienced beekeeper changes the queens in his hives every year: this is both a fight against swarming and caring for the strength of the bee colony: although the queen can live for five years, her fertility peaks in the second season. Someone buys queens, someone creates swarms, and someone uses the ability of bees to remove the fistulous queen from already laid eggs. The bees build special fistula cocoons above them, intensively feed the larvae with milk, and not a worker bee, but a queen emerges from the cocoon. First of all, she kills her rival sisters, settles in a hive, and after about a week soars into the sky to a kilometer height, pursued by a retinue of drones from all the surrounding apiaries. The strongest catches up with her, accomplishes the main work of his short life and dies. The uterus returns to the hive, where the bees extract a train from it - the genital organ that has come off the drone. This trail looks like the dead drone's last defense of its offspring, protection so that no one else will mate with the queen. But the uterus wants variety and start again ... >>

3D printing of chocolate desserts 19.12.2019

Scientists from the Singapore University of Technology and Design have developed a special compound for 3D printing chocolate desserts at room temperature. This is not the first time 3D printers have been used to make desserts with chocolate, but the printing process in this case is carried out by extruding the melted chocolate mass, for which the composition must be heated to 31-36 degrees. Although this process is relatively simple, it requires maintaining a high temperature and precise control over it. Cold extrusion is easier, but this method requires fluid and viscous compositions, for which it is necessary to add components to chocolate that change its characteristics. Only now has it been possible to find suitable combinations that work at room temperature. Singapore scientists used commercially available chocolate products by mixing various pastes and syrups with 10-15% cocoa powder. The final composition called Ci3DP (Chocolate-based ink 3D-Printing) turned out to be pasty: in different ... >>

20TB WD Ultrastar DC HC650 SMR hard drive 19.12.2019

Western Digital (WD) has launched the world's first 20TB hard drive. The Ultrastar DC HC650 SMR model is made in a 3,5-inch form factor and is aimed at corporate clients, as well as for use in data centers. Together with the 20 terabyte HDD, Western Digital also released a 3,5-inch 18 terabyte version of the Ultrastar DC HC550 CMR, which differs from the older model not only in capacity. One of the main differences between Western Digital's new hard drives is the recording technology used. The younger model uses CMR (Conventional Magnetic Recording, the classic method of magnetic recording), and the older model uses SMR (Shingled Magnetic Recording, tiled recording with overlapping tracks). Ultrastar DC HC550 CMR and Ultrastar DC HC650 SMR hard drives contain nine plates each, placed in a hermetic chamber filled with helium using HelioSeal technology. Both drives are equipped with vibration compensation mechanisms and three-stage microdrives. For taller ... >>

World's largest XNUMXD printed building 18.12.2019

Apis Cor, a 9,5D construction printing technology company, recently completed what could be described as the world's largest 'printed' building to date. This building, located in Dubai, is the body of an administrative building, it was erected using a single three-dimensional printer, although it is worth recognizing that much of the work was done in the old fashioned way by human builders. The two-story administrative building has a height of 640 meters and a total area of ​​3 square meters. Its construction was carried out in a completely traditional way, by squeezing a cement mixture through the nozzle of the printer, which layer by layer formed the entire structure of the building. Since the building being erected was quite large in size, the Apis Cor XNUMXD printer was suspended in the air with a crane and could only build one separate room at a time. Because of this, the entire construction process of the building took three weeks. ... >>

Nitroglycerin May Cause Migraines and Abnormal Cardiovascular Reactions 18.12.2019

In addition to the recognized migraine-provoking effects of nitroglycerin, a study reports abnormal cardiovascular regulation of this compound in patients with migraine. Nitroglycerin is a potent vasodilator and is known to cause migraine attacks in migraine patients. Due to its vasodilating properties, nitroglycerin is used in cardiovascular studies to test for cardiovascular changes in blood pressure measurements secondary to venous pooling. For example, nitroglycerin is used to test baroreflex function in individuals with vasovagal syncope, which is common in migraine patients. Scientists at the Leiden University Medical Center assessed cardiovascular parameters using photoplethysmography (blood pressure, heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, peripheral resistance) up to (-10 min), during the administration of intravenous nitroglycerin (20 min) ... >>

Space flights cause eye problems 17.12.2019

Specialists at NASA's Johnson Space Flight Center have for many years encountered complaints of blurred vision and headaches from astronauts who have been on long expeditions to the ISS. It was not possible for doctors to understand the mechanism and cause of the problems until 2019. In another scientific work, the doctors decided to gather a group of volunteers and simulate for them the conditions in which astronauts are in orbit. Primarily, this meant spending several weeks lying on an angled bed, but without simulating elevated carbon dioxide levels that are characteristic of the international space station, as well as a ban on changing the position of the head and relaxing the body for a while, the results could not be obtained. When the conditions of the experiment were adjusted, the doctors were able to compare the condition of 11 volunteers who were observed for a month with the condition of 20 astronauts who visited the ISS from 2012 to 2018 inclusive. Found out ... >>

Wireless BLE sensor STEVAL-BCN002V1B 17.12.2019

The new STEVAL-BCN002V1B Bluetooth Low Energy Sensor Node Wireless Development Kit includes the STEVAL-BCN002V1 multi-sensor board based on the BlueNRG-2 SoC chip acting as the control processor. This sensor board is equipped with an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, a pressure, humidity and temperature sensor, a ToF distance meter and a MEMS microphone. Autonomous power supply is provided by the disk element CR2032. The sensor board communicates with a Bluetooth LE-enabled smartphone running the ST BLE Sensor app, which can be downloaded free of charge from the Google Play and iTunes stores. The STEVAL-BCN002V1D accessory board is used for programming and debugging the sensor. The accessory board is connected to the PC via USB. The STEVAL-BCN002V1B kit with STEVAL-BCN002V1 sensor board and STEVAL-BCN002V1D programming board includes: BlueNRG-2: Bluetooth Low Energy system-on-a-chip; BALF ... >>

New carbon capture system 16.12.2019

A significant part of carbon dioxide emissions comes from transport, in Europe almost 40% from trucks. Researchers from the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne (EPFL) have presented a new concept that will reduce emissions by 90%. Scientists propose to capture carbon dioxide emitted from the exhaust pipe of a truck and convert it into liquid carbon dioxide, which is stored in a special tank on the roof of the car. This carbon dioxide can then be transported to a service station where it can be reused, such as converted into conventional fuel. Carbon dioxide capture occurs by pre-cooling the exhaust gases. A special absorbent material developed at EPFL can separate CO2 from nitrogen and oxygen. It is heated to extract carbon dioxide, and the heat from the car's engine is used to compress it and turn it into a liquid. This system is more suitable for large vehicles such as gr ... >>

Global warming affects the size of birds 16.12.2019

Researchers from the University of Michigan said that global warming is causing birds to shrink in size. Scientists have made such conclusions by studying tens of thousands of birds for 40 years. Observations have been conducted for 52 species of birds since 1978. During this time, it was possible to measure at least 70 thousand individuals. It turned out that during this time the weight of songbirds decreased by an average of one gram, and the length of the wings increased by several millimeters. Corresponding changes were recorded in all studied species of birds that migrate through the territory of North America. Global warming can influence the decrease in mass and increase in the length of the wings, since a direct relationship has been established between the size of warm-blooded living beings and the temperature in their places of residence: the warmer the climate, the smaller the animals in it. ... >>

Laser holograms will improve the quality of industrial XNUMXD printing 15.12.2019

One of the shortcomings of modern industrial technologies of laser three-dimensional printing is a strong heating at the point of contact of the metal with the laser light beam. This heating melts the metal powder, but it also introduces areas of internal mechanical stress and deformation of the part to be manufactured. And all these things are practically unpredictable, which makes it impossible to somehow compensate for them. However, a group of researchers from the University of Cambridge found a way to solve the problem described above. With the help of special holographic images generated by a computer using complex algorithms, it is possible to control the distribution of laser light energy in three dimensions, which makes it possible to avoid unnecessary heating of the manufactured part. "Instead of using a single beam of high-power laser light, we use several beams of laser light that are focused in a special way at the right point in three-dimensional space," says Professor Tim Wilkinso ... >>

Self-cleaning film repels bacteria 15.12.2019

A team of researchers from McMaster University (Canada) has developed a film that can repel all forms of bacteria, including those resistant to antibiotics. It can be used as packaging for food and medical instruments, as well as a protective coating for door handles and railings. The new plastic surface is an improved form of conventional transparencies. The material is covered with microscopic "wrinkles", due to which substances - for example, a drop of water or blood - do not stick to the surface of the film, but bounce off it. This texture also prevents the formation of a biofilm of harmful bacteria. The researchers tested the material using two forms of antibiotic-resistant bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The material demonstrated its repulsive ability by 87% in the case of the first pathogen, and by 84% in the case of the second. E. coli also failed to migrate to new material after it came into contact with another ... >>

The brain recognizes touch even outside the body 14.12.2019

A new study has proven that we can feel how an object in our hands comes into contact with something else as clearly as if it were part of our body. Scientists have found that during the performance of simple, everyday operations, the human brain behaves extremely strange. When you pick up a stick and hit it on, say, a fence, a special set of neurons is activated. They help determine exactly what has happened through certain vibration patterns that run through our nervous system. Of course, if the object in our hands touches something, we will feel it due to the difference in pressure. However, the new work shows that with the help of the amazing abilities of the brain, we can also accurately determine the location of the contact of an object and a surface - despite the fact that these are two completely alien objects for us. The project was initiated by neurobiologist Luc Miller from the University of Lyon in France. During 400 different tests ... >>

Restoration of tooth enamel 14.12.2019

Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, which, alas, is irreplaceable. Worldwide, billions of people suffer daily from gradual tooth decay caused by the loss of tooth enamel. For a long time, this process was considered irreversible, but a new study has given humanity a chance to significantly prolong dental health. Chinese scientists from Zhejiang University have developed a liquid mixture that can effectively restore the outer layer of damaged enamel. To do this, they used a material that mimics the natural process of mineralization of the protective cover of our teeth. Tooth enamel is formed as a result of the process of biomineralization. Cells called ameloblasts secrete proteins that eventually harden and form a hard coating on the softer parts of the tooth. The problem is that such cells live only during the development of teeth, and therefore "mature" teeth are practically devoid of the natural ability to self-heal. Material, composition ... >>

Polymeric material that changes shape under the influence of magnets 13.12.2019

Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) and Ohio State University (USA) have developed a soft polymer material - a magnetic shape memory polymer - that the magnetic field causes to twist, bend and grab. The material can be used to make grab levers that can lift fragile objects without damaging them, or a load 1000 times its own weight. The new material is derived from three components, each with unique properties. One of them is shape memory polymers. Materials like these, which change shape when heated and revert to their original state when cooled, have been reported more than once in recent years. For some of them, the difference between room temperature and the temperature of the human body is enough to deform. The new material heats up, cools down and changes shape due to magnets. Two types of magnetic particles - one for induction heating and one with strong magnetic attraction - are the second two "secret ingredients" ... >>

electric seaplane 13.12.2019

The Canadian company Harbor Air conducted the first flight of an electrified passenger seaplane DHC-2 Beaver. On December 10, Canadian airline Harbor Air conducted a successful flight of an electric version of the DHC-2 Beaver seaplane on the Fraser River, near Vancouver. The length of the DHC-2 Beaver is 9,2 meters and has a wingspan of 14,6 m. It can reach speeds of up to 255 kilometers per hour, and the range of the car is up to 732 kilometers. The device was converted into an electric aircraft by the Australian company MagniX, commissioned by Harbor Air: the car received a 200 kilowatt-hour battery and a Magni500 electric motor with a maximum power of 559 kilowatts, weighing 135 kilograms. A full charge of the battery electric DHC-2 Beaver, according to the developers, should be enough for 30 minutes of flight. Further, after the first flight of the electric DHC-2 Beaver, the specialists will continue to test the machine - first, they will re-check all systems, and then proceed to further ... >>

Artificial fruit 12.12.2019

Meidan Levy, a graduate of Israel's Bezalel National Academy of Arts, has developed five types of artificial fruit-based cocktails that are high in vitamins and minerals. Levy's project was called Neo Fruit. Each of the five fruits of the series differs from the others in shape and taste, but they are made using the same technology. First, Levy 3D prints the fruit shell using transparent cellulose as a material, then proceeds to filling, filling the shell with nutrient liquid. It contains various trace elements necessary for a person. Nutritionists helped the designer to make the right balance of vitamins and minerals. The taste of artificial fruits does not resemble any natural fruit. Levy created all the fillings using a homemade device that allows him to "extract oils, tastes and smells from almost any substance." This makes it possible to experiment with tastes, appearance and form. For example, one of the Levi fruits is shaped like ... >>

Cryoprocessor Horse Ridge 12.12.2019

Intel Labs shared details about its new Horse Ridge cryogenic processor, developed jointly with the Dutch company QuTech. This is the world's first chip designed to create commercial quantum systems. Horse Ridge is designed to take on all the work that previously fell on a significant number of semiconductor technologies. Relatively small (about the size of the palm of a hand) and replacing the huge external components normally required to drive qubits, the new chip should allow Intel to increase the number of qubits on its way to building a practical quantum computer that solves real-world problems. Google has previously said it has achieved quantum superiority over traditional supercomputers. Its 53-qubit quantum computer was the first to solve a problem faster than the world's most powerful supercomputer. However, according to Intel, large-scale, commercially viable quantum systems that solve real-world problems require ... >>

Blue Origin Rocket 11.12.2019

The private American aerospace company Blue Origin of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, which is one of the main competitors of Elon Musk's SpaceX, will launch the New Shepard spacecraft for suborbital flight. Today, the Blue Origin company of American billionaire Jeff Bezos plans to launch a New Shepard reusable launch vehicle to the conditional boundary between the atmosphere and space - about 100 km. On board, in addition to commercial cargo, there will also be thousands of children's drawings of the Future Club. The capsule and sustainer stage of the rocket will be returned to Earth in a controlled and gentle manner. At least that's the calculation. Reference: Blue Origin is an American private aerospace company. It was created in 2000 for space tourism by Amazon.com founder Jeffrey Bezos and is located on the territory of his ranch, located 40 km north of Van Horn, Culberson County, Texas, USA. ... >>

Christmas tree hooked up to an electric eel 11.12.2019

The aquarium in Chattanooga (USA) has connected a Christmas tree with an aquarium in which an electric eel lives. The brightness of the illumination of Christmas tree decorations depends on how much electricity the fish produces to search for prey or during times of stress. In nature, electric eels (Electrophorus electricus) live in the rivers of South America. Along the elongated body of the fish, which reaches from 1 to 3 m, there are many special organs that generate electricity. Fish need it in order to search for prey, stun it, and also fight their natural enemies - adult electric eels can generate a discharge of up to 1 ampere, that is, stun a horse. Aquarium workers in Chattanooga (Tennessee, USA) used this feature of eels for an unusual attraction. They connected the aquarium of one of the zoo's electric eels to a Christmas tree. The more discharge that Miguel Watson (as the fish was called) produces, the brighter the lights on this ... >>

Corsair CV Series PSUs 10.12.2019

Corsair has announced the CV Series power supplies, designed for use in office computers or low-cost home systems. The family includes models CV450 and CV550 with a capacity of 450 W and 550 W, respectively. They are 80 PLUS Bronze certified. The declared efficiency reaches 88%. A 120mm low noise fan is used for cooling. The average declared time between failures (MTBF) reaches 100 hours. Device dimensions are 000 x 150 x 125 mm. Modular cable system is not provided. New items are made in classic black color. The Corsair CV Series power supplies come with a three-year warranty. ... >>

The oceans are losing oxygen 10.12.2019

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) has published a report according to which the level of oxygen in the world's oceans is declining at an unprecedented rate. Climate change is dangerously exacerbating the situation. The new study involved 67 scientists from 17 countries. It turned out that since 1950, the level of oxygen in the oceans has decreased by 2%, and the volume of water completely deprived of oxygen has quadrupled since the 1960s. 60 years ago, only 45 regions of the ocean suffered from low oxygen concentrations, in 2011 their number reached 700. According to research, about 50% of oxygen loss in the upper layers of the ocean is caused by global warming. According to scientists, if the current state of affairs is maintained, an increase in global temperature and an increase in nutrient consumption will lead to the fact that by 2100 the level of oxygen in the ocean will decrease by 3-4%. As a result, giant dead zones will grow, where, under conditions of severe hypoxia, capable of surviving marine ... >>

Trade-in to Samsung wearables 09.12.2019

Samsung Electronics has announced the launch of the smart accessories trade-in program, under which, when returning used wearable devices, including fitness bracelets and mechanical watches, the user can purchase new models of "smart watches" with a discount of up to 19,5, 2 thousand rubles You can make a trade-in purchase at Samsung branded stores. The new Galaxy Watch Active40 models are available for purchase at the start of the program in both 44mm and 2mm steel and aluminum cases. With the release of new products next year, the list of devices that can be purchased at a discount when returning an old gadget will expand. The latest generation wearables trade-in program will allow more consumers to solve the problem of recycling old devices, as well as purchase the latest model of a wearable device at a discount. The benefit on the Galaxy Watch ActiveXNUMX depends on the model purchased and on the condition of the gadget that the buyer rents. The maximum rating of the device is given at ... >>

STM32G031Y8Y - 64 MHz controller with SMD component dimensions 09.12.2019

ST Microelectronics has introduced a new general-purpose microcontrollers - STM32G031Y8Y. They belong to the full-featured line of the STM32G0 family. The main distinguishing feature of this model is the smallest dimensions among all ST microcontrollers - 1,86 x 2,14 mm. At the same time, these products are among the highest performing microcontrollers based on the cortex-M0 + core and have all the key advantages of their family: low power consumption, high level of integration, improved software protection, the ability to provide power through only two outputs, an improved internal RC oscillator and low price. For cases where the use of the WLCSP is not possible due to the nature of its soldering, ST has released small-sized models in the SO8 package, for example, the STM32G031J6, also available for order. Key Features: Clock Speed: 64 MHz (142 CoreMark); Flash 64 kB, RAM 8 kB; SPI, I2C, USART/UART, LPUART; Timer at 128 MHz, LP ... >>

Brain wave control 08.12.2019

Diagnosable electrical vibrations of the brain are called rhythms. Recently, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology managed to teach subjects to manipulate their own alpha waves, thereby increasing attention when performing a certain task. Alpha waves describe the electrical activity of the brain at a frequency of 8-12 Hz. The results of the study, which is published in the journal Neuron, may in the future provide an opportunity for people who experience learning problems to get feedback on their brain activity. This is a completely non-invasive way to monitor and test the role of various types of brain activity. The study found that by suppressing alpha waves in one half of the parietal cortex - the lobe responsible for touch, the ability to navigate in space, and attention - the subjects paid more attention to objects on the screen. It should be noted that the relationship between attention and alpha waves has been established in previous studies. ... >>

Cause of scars revealed 08.12.2019

Scars at the site of wounds are formed by connective tissue - when the wound heals, fibroblast cells come into it and fill it with connective tissue proteins - collagen, etc. They help stop bleeding, keep infection out of the wound and perform a number of other useful functions, without which the wound could not live normally. But where the “scarring” cells themselves come from has not yet been completely clear. This could be recognized by the activity of genes in fibroblasts, and judging by the genetic activity, "scarring" fibroblasts come to the wound either from the skin or from the fascia. Fascia are called connective tissue membranes that cover organs, vessels, nerves and form original cases for muscles - these cases support and nourish them. And, as it turned out, fibroblasts come from the fascia into the wounds. Researchers at the Helmholtz Center in Munich used a range of methods to find out which connective tissue cells form the scar. In particular, in different groups of cells, p ... >>

Dog's paw will test the reliability of the car 07.12.2019

A 3D-printed paw will allow you to experiment with the paintwork of cars, checking the level of wear. Engineers used a real Labrador Yogi from the National Guide Dog Breeding Center to create the artificial paw. The dog jumped into the trunk of the new Land Rover Defender and jumped out of it, and each action of the dog was recorded using special pressure calculation technology - the collected data formed the basis of RoboYogi. The paw of a 9-year-old Labrador was taken as a model, based on it being 3D printed copies on springs. Artificial paw claws distribute pressure evenly over the bumper, simulating the claws and paw of a medium-sized dog. RoboYogi is used for 5000 color check cycles - the artificial paw scratches the car body 10 times in random places, and then on one specific side, after which the process is repeated. Based on the results of tests using RoboYogi, the engineers of the British automaker came to ... >>

A star with a unique magnetic field structure 07.12.2019

The neutron star in the GRO J2058+42 system was discovered almost a quarter of a century ago by the American Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory (CGRO) and belongs to a special class - flaring (or transient) X-ray pulsars. Since then, this object has been repeatedly observed by various instruments and has not been distinguished by anything special. Recent observations with the American NuSTAR space observatory, which has an outstanding combination of high energy resolution (<400 eV) and the widest operating energy range (3-79 keV), made it possible to "consider" the features of the emission of this pulsar and made it possible to assert that it claims to become the ancestor of new object family. ... >>

Cyborg soldiers 06.12.2019

Military expert Peter Emanuel of the US Department of Defense said that in the coming decades there will be soldiers enhanced with bioengineering and other technologies, which will create numerous legal and ethical problems. The US military is seriously considering the possibility of soldiers with eye, auditory, muscle and neural modifications, such as microscopic devices implanted in the retina or neural implants, within the next 30 years. According to Emanuel, those who have lost sight or a limb can get these improvements first, and there will be no questions about the justification of such operations. However, problems will arise when it comes to improving a person's existing abilities. The most serious difficulties can arise when a soldier returns to civilian life, such as stigmatization, unauthorized access to technology by a potential adversary, or the use of enhanced mental abilities. ... >>

Brushing your teeth protects your heart 06.12.2019

Brushing your teeth is often associated with a lower risk of atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Previous research shows that poor oral hygiene leads to bacteria in the blood that cause inflammation in the body. Inflammation increases the risk of atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) and heart failure (impaired the ability of the heart to pump blood or relax and fill with blood). This study examined the relationship between oral hygiene and the occurrence of these two conditions. The study involved volunteers aged 40 to 79 who had no history of atrial fibrillation or heart failure. Between 2003 and 2004 participants underwent a routine medical examination. Information was collected on height, weight, laboratory tests, diseases, lifestyle, oral health and oral hygiene. During a median follow-up of 10,5 years, 4911 (3,0%) participants developed ... >>

material absorbing carbon dioxide 05.12.2019

Scientists from Chalmers University of Technology and Stockholm University have developed a new material to capture carbon dioxide. In the future, this technology could be used to clean industrial emissions and reduce carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. With the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere soaring, scientists around the world are developing technologies to capture greenhouse gases near the Earth's surface. Such developments will reduce the anthropogenic impact of human activity and reduce the rate of global climate change. Scientists have proposed another solution for cleaning emissions from industrial enterprises - the solid material they developed from zeolite, cellulose and gelatin during tests allowed not only to capture carbon dioxide, but also convert it into calcium carbonate. Zeolite is an aluminosilicate mineral with a porous structure that is relatively cheap and easy to process. ... >>

Oppo 5G router 05.12.2019

Oppo Inno Day has unveiled its 5G router, which has a cylindrical shape and is equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X55 modem. The device is equipped with a SIM card slot at the bottom, the router can connect up to 1000 devices at the same time. In addition, the device supports SA and NSA operating modes, which correspond to independent 5G network and dependent network. The router is already ready for full-scale production, it will go on sale in the first quarter and will be available for purchase by both ordinary users and small businesses. Oppo previously said that with the advent of the 5G era, the smartphone company intends to significantly expand its product portfolio by releasing smart watches, headphones, smart displays and other smart devices. ... >>

Cool Bitts ICEbox kit for immersion cooling experiments 04.12.2019

Immersion (submersible) liquid cooling systems are mainly used in the field of "big" computing, that is, in data centers, servers, etc. And the startup Cool Bitts decided that before creating large immersible systems, it would be nice to test in small scale. And specifically for such tests, as well as for various experiments, a series of ICEbox products was created. Air is not the best solution for cooling electronics due to its low efficiency. If a computer consumes 1000 watts of energy, then the air cooling system must be able to remove this amount of energy. And in the case of immersion cooling systems, the external radiator accounts for only 10% of the energy, while the coolant in the reservoir takes care of everything else. This can significantly reduce energy costs for cooling systems. The complete cooling system kit, called ICEbox5-Sys-1, includes a transparent tank, a pump, a radiator, fans, a frame for ... >>

A radio telescope began to work on the far side of the moon 04.12.2019

After a year of orbiting the Moon, the Dutch-Chinese Low Frequency Probe (NCLE) has started working. China's Chang'e-4 lunar exploration mission has already made some significant achievements since its launch in December 2018. For example, in January 2019, the mission's lander and rover Yutu 2 (Jade Rabbit 2) became the first robotic explorers to make a soft landing on the far side of the moon. Around the same time, the Chinese space agency conducted the first-ever experiment to grow plants on the Moon. Now the Chang'e-4 mission has entered a new phase. After a year of orbiting the Moon, the Dutch-Chinese Low Frequency Probe (NCLE) has started working. This radio telescope was installed on the Queqiao satellite and consists of three 5-meter long monopole antennas sensitive to radio frequencies in the range of 80 kHz - 80 MHz. The radio observatory was developed by the China National Space Agency (CNSA) in cooperation with the Netherlands Institute ... >>

space mission to save the planet 03.12.2019

Approved space mission called Hera. It is approved by the ministers of the European Space Agency (ESA), and is important for all mankind. Its purpose is to test whether modern rockets can potentially deflect a giant asteroid in order to avoid its collision with the Earth. 320 million dollars have been allocated for the implementation of the project. As part of the Hera project, ESA, together with NASA, will send several spacecraft to a system called Didymos, which is home to a couple of large asteroids. The first stage of the mission will be to “embed” a NASA-owned probe called DART into the smallest of the discovered asteroids. The complexity of this very stage will lie in the fact that presumably the asteroids will move at a speed of about 8276 kilometers per hour. After DART is successfully embedded, the Hera spacecraft itself will fly up to the asteroid, which will have to deliver a strong blow to the space body using the above probe. This ... >>

Fires in the Amazonian forests have accelerated the melting of glaciers in the Andes 03.12.2019

Observations of ice conditions in the Andes have shown that massive fires in the Amazon jungle over the past ten years have accelerated their melting by 5%. The strength of their action in the coming years will more than double due to the fact that the scale of fires is increasing, and the concentration of dust in the atmosphere is growing. "The forecasts of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicate that the Amazon will become much drier in the coming decades and centuries. Therefore, fires in the southwest of this region have already become not a local, but a continental problem that can deprive residents of water many parts of the Andes," scientists say. Ecologists estimate that the Amazonian rainforest covers about 5,5 million square kilometers. km. They account for about 10% of the carbon stored in all living organisms on Earth and a similar amount of biomass produced every year. In addition, they produce approximately 6% of the total oxygen released by all photosynthetic organisms. so ... >>

Oldest fossil embryo discovered 02.12.2019

Scientists from China and the UK have discovered the fossilized remains of a previously unknown multicellular organism that developed as an embryo. The age of the find is estimated at 609 million years. Several hundred fossilized "embryos" of organisms of the same species have been found in Guizhou province in southern China. The unknown organism was named Caveasphaera. It is very similar to the embryos of some starfish and corals, the authors note. But whether he was an animal, it is impossible to say for sure. The main feature of the find is that the discovered "representatives" of the Caveasphaera species were at different stages of development: some consisted of a pair of cells, others were already of a more complex structure. This development is very similar to the development of modern embryos. "Our results show that Caveasphaera 'sorts' their cells during embryonic development in the same way that animals and humans do, but we have no evidence that these embryos evolved into more complex organisms," he said. ... >>

Lead is stronger than steel 02.12.2019

Under normal conditions, lead is relatively soft, easily scratched with a fingernail. But when compressed at extreme pressures, it becomes hard and strong - even stronger than steel. To study how the strength of lead changed under pressure, the researchers quickly compressed a sample of lead by blasting it with lasers at the National Ignition Facility at Livermore National Laboratory. Lawrence in California. The pressure in the sample reached about 400 gigapascals - similar to the pressure in the Earth's core. The strength of a material characterizes its response to stress - the force applied to a given area. The greater the stress that a substance can withstand before it is deformed, the stronger it is. Physicist Andrew Crigier of Lawrence Livermore and his colleagues observed how pulsations in lead grew and deformed under high pressure. Growth was relatively slow, indicating that the metal was 250 times stronger than lead under normal conditions and about 10 times stronger than high-strength steel. When the mother ... >>

TCPP01-M12 chip for protecting USB type-C lines 01.12.2019

STMicroelectronics has introduced a new chip - TCPP01-M12. It has overvoltage protection on the VBUS power line up to 22V using an external N-channel MOSFET, protection on the channel configuration lines (CC), as well as level 61000 ESD protection in accordance with the IEC4-2-01 standard. The TCPP12-M01 provides overvoltage protection in the event of a short circuit between the VBUS and CC lines that can occur when a cable is connected or removed. The TCPP12-M3.3 also has built-in power management logic for a device with a dead battery, in accordance with the USB PD specification. In the case when the microcircuit is installed on a Sink device (receiver), it can be powered from the GPIO 01 V pins of the microcontroller. In this case, in the "disconnected cable" mode, the microcircuit is turned off. This mode allows you to extend the life of the battery. The TCCP12-MXNUMX can also change power modes according to the USB Power Delivery specification. Key especially ... >>

Recreated volcanic lightning 01.12.2019

Scientists from the University of Munich decided to study the principles of the formation of volcanic lightning - a phenomenon that often accompanies volcanic eruptions. Researchers know little about the principles of its formation in nature, so scientists decided to conduct a series of experiments to reproduce lightning in the laboratory and study its properties. Before starting the experiments, the researchers studied in detail how volcanic lightning is formed in nature. They knew that the collision of ash particles inside the volcano plays a key role in this, but the details of the phenomenon remained unknown. So the researchers tried to create volcanic lightning in the lab. A research facility can change the properties of a volcanic plume to find out how changing the temperature or moisture content of the ash can increase or decrease the chances of lightning being generated. Experts have found that volcanic lightning has the same principle of formation as ordinary lightning - for this you need to divide the ... >>

Conducted the coldest chemical reaction 30.11.2019

Everything that happens at the level of molecules and atoms happens so fast that it cannot be seen without the use of ultra-high-speed lasers or other techniques. What happens during chemical reactions also falls into this category, but scientists at Harvard University have managed to produce the "coldest" chemical reaction by cooling molecules down to a fraction of a degree above absolute zero. And this allowed them to see and film something that no one had ever seen before - the process of exchanging atoms between molecules. Absolute zero (-273.15 degrees Celsius, 0 Kelvin) is considered the coldest possible temperature at which all movement of atoms and molecules stops completely and there is not a grain of thermal energy left in these molecules and atoms. In their research, the Harvard scientists cooled the molecules down to millionths of a degree above absolute zero, down to 500 nanoKelvins to be precise. This temperature is below any temperature of natural origin, in the coldest ... >>

A new source of green energy 30.11.2019

US scientists have unveiled a new nanomembrane that could generate renewable energy using the chemical differences between salt and fresh water. Researchers are confident that this way they will be able to get additional power, which is equal to the energy of 2 thousand nuclear reactors. According to preliminary laboratory calculations, the new nanomembrane will help generate additional energy from 37 thousand cubic meters. km of fresh water that rivers annually dump into the ocean. According to the creators, this technology will provide up to 2,6 TW of electricity. The same power is produced by 2 nuclear reactors. The nanomembrane uses the property of salt water, which is made up of ions. Scientists knew that as long as the salt is dissolved in water, the ions are separated and can move freely. If you create a separate tank in which to store positive and negative ions, then you can get a constant source of electric current from them. The charge imbalance between the two sides has in some cases been forced ... >>

Fresh apples all year round 29.11.2019

Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a new variety of apples that, when properly stored, can stay fresh for up to one year The new red apple variety has been dubbed Space Crunch. Its appearance was the result of long-term research on crossing many varieties of this fruit. Scientists from the University of Washington have been experimenting with hybrid varieties of Enterprise and Honeycrisp apples for many years - since 1997. Cosmic Crunch apples can be stored at a temperature of +10°C for up to 1 year, if you put the fruit in the refrigerator - their shelf life will be reduced to six months. Stored at room temperature, apples will stay fresh for several weeks. ... >>

Sneakers made from vegetable materials 29.11.2019

Reebok, a well-known sports goods manufacturer, has released a new model of Forever Floatride Energy Grow sneakers. The shoes are made from eco-friendly materials: algae, eucalyptus wood, natural rubber, and castor oil. The sneakers became part of last year's Cotton + Corn collection. "The sneakers from this line are a first, but a sure step in creating shoes from sustainable materials that can be recycled. The Forever Floatride Energy sneakers are the basis of a novelty for running created from natural materials," Reebok representatives shared. Designers made a new model in classic shades, with a beige sole and light laces. The shoes will go on sale in fall 2020. ... >>

DNA of things 28.11.2019

Researchers from Switzerland and Israel are developing a way to store large amounts of information in almost any facility. So, they created glass nanoballs - "DNA molecules" - with "instructions" for printing an object on a 3D printer, and "sewn" them into the object itself. This development was preceded by two discoveries of the last few years. One is Robert Grass's method for labeling foods with a DNA barcode embedded in tiny glass beads. Such nanoballs are used, for example, as indicators for geological tests or as markers by which a high-quality food product can be distinguished from a counterfeit one. A barcode is a 100-bit code (a combination of "0" and "1" in one hundred characters). At the same time, it became possible to store huge amounts of data in DNA. Grass' colleague Yaniv Erlich, an Israeli scientist, has developed a method that could theoretically store 215 terabytes of data in one gram of DNA molecules. And Grass could xp ... >>

pineapple leaf paper 28.11.2019

The Philippines created Pinyapel paper from pineapple leaves with the assistance of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Design Center of the Philippines (DCP). Cagayan De Oro Handmade Paper Company representative Lolita "Luchi" Cabanlet was able to create "Pinyapel", a locally produced specialty paper made from discarded pineapple leaves from plantations in Bukidnon. The name pinyapel was coined in the DCP, the neologism came from a combination of two Filipino words pinya (pineapple) and papel (paper), zerno-ua.com reports. Pinyapel pineapple material is water resistant and is an excellent base for making paper cups, paper bags, and other food containers. ... >>

Robot muscle hydrogel 27.11.2019

Scientists at the Australian National University (ANU) have invented a new jelly-like material that mimics biological substances such as skin, ligaments and even bones. This incredibly strong, self-healing substance also has the ability to change shape! Hydrogels are the familiar high water content gels that are used in everyday life in a number of products, such as contact lenses. The research team says the new hydrogel has the potential to create a new class of medical implants or artificial muscles for next-generation robots that can even swim thanks to such muscles. Lead researcher Luc Connal said that the new hydrogel's dynamic chemical bonds give it properties that qualitatively distinguish it from other similar materials. "Normally, the bonds within a hydrogel are very weak, but ours is so strong that it can hold heavy objects. ... >>

Budget smartphone Nokia 2.3 27.11.2019

HMD Global has unveiled the budget Nokia 2.3 smartphone based on the Android One operating system, which will immediately go on sale at a price of 109 euros. The smartphone comes with a 6,2-inch waterdrop notch display with HD+ (720p) resolution and 19:9 aspect ratio. The case is made of metal with a ribbed polymer coating, its overall dimensions are 157,69 x 75,41 x 8,68 mm, weight - 183 grams. The buyer will be able to choose a dark green (Cyan Green), sand (Sand) or jet black (Charcoal) design option. The Nokia 2.3 is powered by a MediaTek Helio A22 chipset, coupled with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage (plus support for microSD cards up to 512GB). The battery capacity is 4000 mAh, while the manufacturer promises up to two days of work on a single charge thanks to proprietary technology "Adaptive Battery". Front camera 5 MP (f / 2.4) supports biometric identification by face vlad ... >>

Biodegradable plastic from potatoes 26.11.2019

Vietnamese researchers, Nong Van Phuoc and Dang Nguyen Xuan Trong, fourth-year students at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance (HCM), have created a biodegradable plastic from potato starch. The goal is to reduce the use of single-use plastic products. The main specialization of researchers is business administration and international trade. At the beginning of last year, the Phuoc school held a business idea competition in which students took part. One of the researchers' goals was to reduce the negative impact of plastic waste on the environment. While searching for an idea for a competition, Nong Van Phuoc noticed that some of the female students were eating edible rice paper that looked like plastic bags. And wondered if rice paper could be used as plastic bags? As a result, Phuoc and Trong began experimenting with cornstarch and cassava starch. But the tests were not successful. The researchers then discovered that starch, and ... >>

VIPER26K regulators with built-in MOSFET 1050 V 26.11.2019

STMicroelectronics has announced new microcircuits of the well-known ViperPlus family. This is a Viper26K with a built-in 1050 V drain-to-source MOSFET. This family of chips is suitable for building power supplies with a wide range of input voltages, for example, operating from a three-phase 380 V network. VIPER26K chips have two versions - with a transistor current limit of 500 mA and 700 mA. With their help, the following topologies can be implemented: isolated and non-isolated flyback converter (flyback), buck converter (buck), buck-boost converter (buck-boost). Technical advantages: Built-in 1050V MOSFET; Built-in quick start function; Built-in short circuit current protection; Built-in error amplifier for non-isolated topologies; Consumption at idle no more than 40 mW; Automatic overtemperature protection with hysteresis; Main applications: SP powered by a three-phase ... >>

TCL WQ Gaming 25.11.2019

TCL has developed an advanced WQ Gaming Tablet Display designed for use in gaming-grade tablet computers. The presented display has a size of 10,8 inches diagonally and has a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels. Pixel density reaches 280 PPI - dots per inch. The main feature of the panel is a high refresh rate of 240 Hz. In addition, the screen has a fast response time of 2ms (GTG). Another feature of the WQ Gaming Tablet Display is the presence of a small hole designed for the front camera. Its diameter is only 3,5 mm. The panel has a thickness of 1,5 mm. Claimed brightness is 500 cd/m2. The published images also speak of an almost complete lack of frames. Thus, in the near future we can expect the appearance of flagship tablets for games. Apparently, such devices will operate under the Android operating system. ... >>

Floating atoms to measure gravity 25.11.2019

A group of researchers from the University of California at Berkeley has found a new way to measure the forces of gravity and the effects associated with these forces. The basis of this method is to measure the smallest differences between atoms in a state of quantum superposition, which are held in a "floating" state by laser light inside a vacuum chamber. The Berkeley researchers believe that this new method, in some cases, will be more convenient and useful than the traditional methods of making such measurements that are currently used. The current standard way of measuring gravity and conducting experiments with the earth's gravity is to drop various objects from a certain height. At the same time, objects are dropped inside vertical pipes, inside which a vacuum of great depth is created and which are at the same time a screen that blocks the influence of a number of external factors on highly sensitive measuring equipment. Unfortunately, such methods allow scientists to ... >>

Blue SN550 NVMe SSDs 24.11.2019

Western Digital has announced the Blue SN550 NVMe SSD, which can be installed in desktop and laptop computers. The devices are made in M.2 2280 format: dimensions are 22 x 80 mm. Western Digital/SanDisk 96D TLC 3-layer flash memory microchips and Western Digital's proprietary controller are used. The drives use the NVMe protocol and PCIe 3.0 x4 interface. The novelty is claimed to deliver four times the speed of the best Western Digital SATA solid-state solutions. The WD Blue SN550 NVMe SSD family includes three models - 250 GB, 500 GB and 1 TB. Their read/write speeds and IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second) are listed below: "This powerful internal drive delivers high speeds so you can work, create, play or process large amounts of data more productively and faster," says Western Digital. Devices are provided ... >>

Orbital ring around the earth 24.11.2019

If you build a ring around the Earth, it seems that gravity will pull it towards the center of the Earth from all sides with the same force, which will allow the ring to "float" above the surface. But the problem lies in the inhomogeneity of the Earth's gravitational field and the influence of the gravitational fields of neighboring celestial bodies. Such a structure will have an unstable position, which would lead to its deformation, fall and destruction. The lack of building materials of the required unimaginable strength is also a stumbling block. When one fragment of the ring moves to the center of the Earth, the force of attraction acting on it increases, and the force acting on the opposite part decreases, so the ring falls, losing stability. That is, a small random fluctuation is enough for the entire structure to collapse. ... >>

XR2 platform for virtual and augmented reality devices 23.11.2019

Qualcomm has announced the new XR2 platform. It is positioned as "the world's first extended reality platform (XR - extended reality) with 5G support." The previous XR1 platform, which is already used in a number of virtual and augmented reality devices, will remain on the market and is now branded as the Qualcomm XR platform for mainstream use. At the same time, the new XR2 platform aims to showcase "next-level features for a never-before-seen experience." The XR2 platform combines 5G modem and AI developments. For example, it supports up to seven cameras for HoloLens-style mixed reality and a smoother VR experience. The novelty provides a detailed 26-point skeletal tracking of hand movements and accurate transmission of the surrounding space. The Qualcomm XR2 platform supports 3Kx3K display panels at 90fps and supports ... >>

Orangutan language deciphered 23.11.2019

Scientists from Britain have partially deciphered the language of orangutans. A team of researchers spent two years in Indonesia collecting over 600 hours of orangutan videos. With the help of films, scientists recorded 1299 communication signals from 16 individuals. Among them, 858 voice signals and 441 gestures. Among them, 8 phrases were identified that roughly mean: give some object, climb on me, climb on you, climb over, move away, ease the intensity of the game, resume the game and stop. It is noted that young orangutans use visual gestures more often, while adults use both gestures and touch. In total, scientists identified 11 voice signals and 21 types of gestures. They also note that orangutans are very sociable, but are not among the most unexplored monkeys. ... >>

Magic Leap 1 Mixed Reality Headset 22.11.2019

Magic Leap announced the launch of the $1 Magic Leap 2995 mixed reality headset. Along with the announcement of the novelty, the company revealed a number of enterprise applications and its partners, ready to start "spatial computing" from scratch. Headset Magic Leap 1 is aimed at the corporate segment. In particular, it can significantly improve the effectiveness of training employees in new skills. For the past 16 months, Magic Leap has been selling a beta version of its headset, dubbed the Magic Leap One Creator Edition, for $2295. The device is intended for developers of applications for spatial computing and mixed reality - this is what Magic Leap calls the overlay of animation on the real world using special glasses. ... >>

ASUS PCE-AX3000 Expansion Card 22.11.2019

ASUS has announced the PCE-AX3000 expansion card, which allows you to endow your desktop computer with high-speed wireless connectivity. The product is made in PCI-Express x1 format. Implemented support for Wi-Fi 6, or 802.11ax. It is possible to work in the frequency bands of 2,4 GHz and 5 GHz: in the first case, the data transfer rate reaches 600 Mbps, in the second - 2400 Mbps. We are talking about the implementation of MU-MIMO and OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access) technologies. The latter will allow different devices to work on the same channel by assigning subcarrier frequencies to individual client gadgets. In addition, the expansion card provides support for Bluetooth 5.0 wireless communication. WPA3 is responsible for security. Guaranteed compatibility with computers running Windows 10 and Linux operating systems. The novelty weighs approximately 80 grams. ... >>

Impossible black hole discovered 21.11.2019

Chinese astrophysicists have discovered a black hole that should not exist. The mass of an object significantly exceeds the mass of objects of this type. Scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences recorded a strange movement of the star LB-1, which indicated the presence of a massive object nearby. After a series of studies, it turned out that the mysterious invisible object is a black hole. The black hole is 13800 light-years from Earth and weighs 68 times the weight of the Sun. These are not the maximum figures, but the problem is that comparable objects are usually found in the centers of galaxies. Even in my wildest dreams, I could not imagine that such a massive black hole could be found in the Milky Way. If the calculations turn out to be correct, then we will have something to puzzle over. Usually such massive objects are formed as a result of the merger of two black holes. Holes born in a different way have previously been observed only in distant galaxies, where there is a lack of elements heavier than helium. One ... >>

Highly sensitive camera will search for extraterrestrial life and dark matter 21.11.2019

Researchers from the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have created the most highly sensitive camera to date, the pixels of which are sensors that can capture single photons of light. This camera has more than a thousand pixels on its sensor and is designed to be installed on next-generation space telescopes, where it will be used to search for chemical signs of life on other planets, searches for the elusive dark matter, which accounts for most of the entire matter of the Universe. Each pixel of the nova is a tungsten-silicon nanowire, 3.5 millimeters long, 180 nanometers wide, and 3 nanometers thick. These nanowires are placed on a silicon substrate and connected to the "outside world" by wire connections made of superconducting niobium. This camera pixel structure provides the best speed performance to date. ... >>

Greenland glacier is disappearing 20.11.2019

International experts have said that the Greenland Glacier is melting seven times faster than in the 1990s. Scientists analyzed the results of 26 ice sheet studies conducted between 1992 and 2018 and warned that water released into the ocean could cause widespread flooding in coastal areas where hundreds of millions of people live. So, 6 years ago, experts predicted that by 2100 the height of the ocean would rise by 60 centimeters. Territories with a population of 360 million people will be at risk of flooding. But, as recent data have shown, in fact, the consequences of global warming can become even more global. Studies have shown that the melting of Greenland is associated with both warming air and rising temperatures of the surrounding water. ... >>

The physical theory of superconductivity is called into question 20.11.2019

Scientists at Stanford University have discovered a phenomenon in superconducting metals that has not yet been explained. It questions the current physical theory of superconductivity and requires quantum computers to describe it. The researchers studied the transition phase in the Bi-2212 (Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+x) superconductor using angular resolution photoelectron spectroscopy (ARPES). Intense ultraviolet light knocks electrons out of the sample, and the behavior of electrons in the metal is determined by the energy and speed of the particles. Superconductivity is caused by electrons which, below a certain critical temperature, form Cooper pairs and can pass through the crystal unhindered. Above this limit, a "strange" phase appears in high-temperature superconductors, in which electrons do not behave as independent particles, as in ordinary metals, but seem to gather in collectives. In addition to temperature, the phase transition is affected by the degree of doping, that is, the presence in ... >>

Robots LG CLOi will support small patients 19.11.2019

LG has sent 25 CLOi robots to the Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) Children's Hospital to test whether they can be used to improve medical care. The robots will be placed in various areas of the hospital, including intensive care units and operating rooms, to provide emotional support to children who may experience fear due to being in a hospital environment. The testing will last three months. In addition to child care, LG and medical professionals will jointly develop services that will allow robots to be used to video chat between employees, provide translation services for international patients, and provide video instructions for parents before performing procedures on children. ... >>

Similar to Stonehenge found in Poland 19.11.2019

In Poland, an ancient structure of the Stonehenge type, over 6800 years old, was discovered. Archaeologists claim that Neolithic people used this ritual object for 200-250 years, with new functions appearing every few decades. The diameter of the structure is about 110 meters - three times the diameter of the inner circle of sandstone boulders at Stonehenge. This object was discovered by archaeologists in 2017, but only now they managed to find out the age of the structure. According to the Polish Ministry of Science, radiocarbon dating showed that the object was built before 4800 BC. "Polish Stonehenge" is located in the village of Nowe Obezze, not far from the border with Germany. It consists of a central zone, the entrance to which is marked by three gates, and four ditches surrounding the central circle. Each distant ditch is larger and deeper than the previous one, and archaeologists have established that they were dug at relatively regular intervals every few dozen ... >>

robot plant 18.11.2019

Engineers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, USA) have developed a robot that can lengthen, "building up" new links. At the same time, its entire chain is flexible enough to bend and turn, and at the same time rigid to withstand heavy loads. The robot can change its length and shape by removing links or adding new ones. The scientists developed the design of the robot, inspired by the way plants grow: nutrients rise up to the tip of the plant, where it then gradually forms a dense structure, such as a stem or side shoots. The robot operates in much the same way: it consists of a drive box - a "growth point" - that pulls a loose chain of links ("nutrients") into the box. The gears in the box then block the chain links and bring the chain out again - but in a locked position. From this chain, it seems that a strong stem is obtained, which holds a heavy "flower" for sure - a gearbox. The researchers presented a "growing ... >>

New record for longest non-stop flight 18.11.2019

In civil aviation, a new record for the duration of a non-stop flight by a commercial airliner has appeared - it, like the previous achievement, was set by Qantas. The crew of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner spent 19 hours and 19 minutes in the sky, covering about 17 kilometers during this time on the way from British London to Australian Sydney. Flight QF 800 was flying from Heathrow Airport to the international airport of Australia's largest and oldest city. The flight took place over the territories of Great Britain, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Belarus, Russia, Kazakhstan, China, the Philippines, Indonesia and Australia and could have been a little longer, since at the time of landing the aircraft had a fuel reserve of 7879 kg for a flight for another 6300 hours 1 minutes. In total, 45 kg of fuel were consumed during the flight. On board, in addition to the crew members, there were several dozen passengers and scientists from Australia, who observed the condition of people during a long flight. At this ... >>

Genes are responsible for addiction to coffee 17.11.2019

A person prefers the drink, the taste of which he is able to distinguish better. This conclusion was made by an international team of scientists from the USA, Great Britain and Australia, having studied the relationship between genes and favorite drinks of the study participants. As part of the experiment, the researchers studied people's sensitivity to caffeine, quinine and propylthiouracil - substances that give a certain level of bitterness to popular drinks such as coffee, tea and alcoholic beverages. It is known that a person has receptors that feel this or that substance better. Mutations of these three types of receptors can change their sensitivity. Experts analyzed the genetic information of 438 participants in the British Biobank data bank and compared it with data on which drinks and how much the participants in the experiment consumed. As a result, experts found that people who have DNA that allows them to taste caffeine better have an increased risk of becoming a fan of coffee: 870% of them drank ... >>

Exynos 9611 single-chip system 17.11.2019

Samsung has provided information about the Exynos 9611 single-chip system, which is designed for use in smartphones. The new Samsung Exynos 9611 mobile processor includes a built-in artificial intelligence engine, which also includes a visual processing unit. Separately mentioned are the intellectual enhancements in photo and video shooting. Samsung focuses on artificial intelligence technology. This technology is critical for next-generation mobile devices, according to the South Korean manufacturer. The artificial intelligence system in Exynos 9611 is based on deep learning technology. The image processing unit uses a digital signal processor and a neural network engine that can analyze analog image and video signals to identify objects and the environment. Exynos 9611 can recognize scenes with this technology and can fine-tune ... >>

Nature helps children learn 16.11.2019

Employees of University College London and the British Wildlife Trust decided to find out how nature affects children's school success. By nature, here we mean that classes are not held indoors, but outdoors. Similar studies have been done before, but with adults, and with adults, there was only one benefit from being active in nature. The experiments involved more than six hundred boys and girls aged seven to eleven, who were given one or more outdoor activities. These were not necessarily classes in nature / biology / ecology with recognizing trees by leaves and birds by voices, collecting arthropods, etc. It could also be, for example, an assignment to write a poem in which a forest would appear, or children did some sculptures from branches and bark - in a word, classes on the subject were completely different. Before and after going out into nature, the children were asked to answer questions about their psychological state, attitudes ... >>

Women's brains age more slowly 16.11.2019

American researchers scanned the brains of more than 200 adults, analyzing their metabolic rate, which is known to change with age. As a result, the scientists found that the brains of women were on average three years younger than the brains of men with the same chronological age. Experts suggest that having a younger brain provides women with some degree of resilience to the changes associated with aging. This, in turn, may help explain why women experience slower cognitive decline with age than men. In the new study, experts led by Dr. Manu Goyala, assistant professor of radiology at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, scanned the brains of 121 women and 84 men, aged 20 to 82. They then created a machine algorithm based on data about the men's age and their brain metabolism. After that, scientists entered data about women into the algorithm and programmed ... >>

The value of the graviton mass was specified 15.11.2019

A group of scientists, which included researchers from several French universities and other scientific institutions, has found a new way to refine the value of the upper limit of the mass of the graviton. This method is based on accurate measurements of several parameters of large cosmic bodies, such as stars and giant gas planets, thanks to this, scientists will be able to do what is almost impossible to do with any other methods available to scientists. According to Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, in the process of mass formation for huge cosmic bodies, which deform the space-time continuum in the adjacent space with their gravity, a theoretically weightless elementary particle called graviton is involved. Scientists for many years, with varying success, "broke spears", proving or refuting the fact that the graviton has its own mass. One of the methods used by scientists in the past was based on data from studies of the expansion rate. ... >>

The right of artificial intelligence to the content it creates 15.11.2019

The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) plans to find out if artificial intelligence can own what it creates and asks the public for their opinion on it. Survey results may require changes to copyright law. Currently, the office collects information on the impact of artificial intelligence on copyright, trademark and other intellectual property. To do this, 13 questions were prepared, ranging from what happens if an AI creates an infringing work to whether it is allowed to use copyrighted content to train the AI. The most important question is whether it is possible to consider as a work of authorship what is created by artificial intelligence without human intervention. If not, what degree of human involvement "would or should be sufficient for the work to comply with copyright law?". Other questions ... >>

Bacteria will find explosives 14.11.2019

Mines hidden underground are a serious danger to both the military and civilians. Tens of thousands of people die from them every year. If the explosive does not work, decomposing it causes great harm to the environment. The American defense research agency DARPA decided to solve the problem of finding mines in the soil. It was it that launched the program to create GM bacteria. Raytheon Corporation has taken on this challenge. In addition, microbiologists from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute are also involved in the project. Scientists plan to create bacteria that will react to explosives with fluorescence. Raytheon announces the development of two strains. One will target greater depths with low oxygen content. The goal of the other is to complement it and respond to the signal. The latter will signal to people about the discovery of explosives. Alison Taggart, one of the leaders of the program, said that now scientists are working on the issue of "reprogramming" the microorganism ... >>

Light will replace electrons in the computers of the future 14.11.2019

A new type of tiny optical transistor uses an ultra-thin gold disc to capture light pulses and transmit them from waveguide to waveguide, chip to chip. These transistors, connected in an array, can speed up computers by using light rather than electrical current to transmit data. Microscopic optical transistors that transmit data using light will make computers and other gadgets more efficient because light waves can transmit information faster. Particles of light, called photons, penetrate materials without interacting with the environment, as electrons do. Until now, light transmission has not been proposed to speed up computers because the optical transistors that transmit light signals were too slow and used a lot of electricity. New optical transistors have now been developed that can transmit signals in less than a millionth of a second, consuming about one volt, which is comparable to ... >>

Emission-free aircraft 13.11.2019

The aircraft manufacturer Airbus can develop an aircraft by 2030 that will not have a harmful effect on the environment. This was stated by the Executive Director of Airbus ExO Alpha ("daughter" of Airbus, specializing in the development of new technologies) Sandra Schaeffer. According to the top manager, the eco-friendly airliner with a capacity of 100 people can be used for regional passenger transportation. Airbus, along with Boeing and other major aircraft manufacturers, has pledged to halve carbon emissions by 2050. "Today, there is no single solution for meeting commitments, but there are a number of solutions that will work if we put them together," Schaeffer said. Sandra Schaeffer said that the company is currently exploring the possibility of using alternative fuels in aircraft to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, as well as working on more fuel-efficient engines and improved aerodynamics. ... >>

New Zealand hit by 66 lightning strikes 13.11.2019

A strong cold front came to New Zealand with a temperature of 18 ° C. During bad weather on November 10, at least 66 thousand lightning strikes over the New Zealand chain and the Tasman Sea. According to experts, the thunderstorms began due to unstable air that moved across the state from west to east. Bad weather covered almost all parts of New Zealand. As a result of the disaster, dozens of trees collapsed, roads were flooded, and multiple landslides were recorded. In some buildings, strong winds damaged roofs and shattered windows. Due to bad weather conditions, the local population was expecting a power outage. Accustomed to storms, people have equipped their homes with emergency generators in advance. The Auckland airport stopped working for 12 hours after receiving the news of the approaching bad weather, all flights were postponed. By the way, during the period of storm activity, lightning struck 8 km from the airfield. Over the past 6 days, on the western ridges of the South Island, ... >>

Doubling the capacitance of supercapacitors 12.11.2019

Lamborghini and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) summed up the first results of their joint work and spoke about the achievements in the field of supercapacitors. In three years, an Italian automaker and an American university and research center have managed to develop an innovative synthetic material that will form the basis of a new generation of supercapacitors. The material, which is currently being patented, was synthesized by the team of Professor Mircea Dink in the laboratories of the MIT Department of Chemistry. The novelty is based on the concept of metal-organic framework structures (MOF) and is characterized by a high specific surface area subject to electrical charge. It is stated that the development allows to double the energy density in comparison with currently existing supercapacitors. The second development concerns new design principles for high-performance batteries. Team of Professor John Anastasios Hart of the Massachusetts Department of Mechanical Engineering ... >>

China starts building 6G networks 12.11.2019

In China, work has officially begun on the creation of telecommunications technologies of the sixth generation. Representatives of ministries and research institutions held a meeting to establish a national 6G technology research and development group. It comes just days after China's top three carriers announced they are rolling out 5G mobile services across the country. Countries around the world are racing to deploy next-generation wireless networks that can deliver data rates at least 20 times faster than 4G, paving the way for new applications including self-driving cars and augmented reality. In recent months, technologies related to 5G networks have become a hotbed of conflict between the US and China. The US government has blacklisted Chinese company Huawei Technologies, the world's largest supplier of telecommunications equipment, preventing it from accessing the US. ... >>

Gas arrester and varistor in one housing 11.11.2019

Bourns has announced the release of GMOV, a protective product consisting of a combination of a flat gas discharge device (GDT) and a metal oxide varistor (MOV) connected in series. This solution combines the advantages of both technologies and provides a compact yet powerful protective component to replace the standard 14 mm and 20 mm disk varistors. The GMOV series allows you to select suppressors with operating voltages ranging from 45 to 320V (Vrms) and from 56 to 415V (Vdc). Peak currents are up to 6,000 A for the 14mm GMOV and up to 10,000 A for the 20mm versions. The GMOV dissipation energy for 8/20 µs pulses (according to IEC 61000-4-5) reaches 180 J for the 14 mm frame and increases up to 360 J for the 20 mm frame. Unlike a single varistor, which has the disadvantage of degradation and aging (resulting in poor protection performance), this combination of gas arrester and varistor significantly extends the service life and ... >>

The neural network independently repeated the discovery of Copernicus 11.11.2019

A neural network called SciNet independently repeated the discovery of Nicolaus Copernicus - created a heliocentric model of the solar system. The algorithm took several minutes to do this. Artificial intelligence did not need hints and modification of data from people - only measurements of the position of the Sun and Mars in the sky were used when observing from Earth. Scientists were able to track the "reasoning" of the neural network that led it to the result. Usually this is not possible. Now the researchers hope that SciNet will be able to make a real discovery and find out why quantum physics cannot explain the behavior of complex systems without contradictions. ... >>

flycatcher robot 10.11.2019

Researchers from Purdue University (USA) have developed a new class of soft robots and actuators that, using stored elastic energy, can catch an insect in just 120 milliseconds. The robot moves as fast as the whipping tongue of a chameleon. To create such a robot, scientists were inspired by nature, namely, reptiles and amphibians: chameleons, salamanders and toads. These creatures use stored elastic energy to launch their sticky tongues at unsuspecting insects. Within one tenth of a second, the tongue of a chameleon or salamander can cover a distance exceeding one and a half body lengths of the animal. The robot, which resembles a chameleon's tongue, is made of stretchable rubber band-like polymers with internal pneumatic channels that expand when pressure increases. The elastic energy of a robot is conserved by stretching its body in one or more directions during the manufacturing process. The very action of the soft robot looks like ... >>

Smart cocktail stand 10.11.2019

People love cocktails for their taste, which is why properly mixed drinks are highly valued. But mixing the ingredients in the right proportions is not easy, and going to good bars is not cheap. There was a way to prepare the perfect cocktails at home, on your own. For this, a special gadget Barsys Coaster was developed by the creator of a robot bartender, which costs too much for private use - $ 1000. The new device is just a glass coaster, costing $149. The Barsys Coaster is a smart device that tells you how much of an ingredient to add to your cocktail to make it perfect. To do this, you need to put the glass on the stand, connect it to a tablet or smartphone with the appropriate application and start pouring drinks. The application will tell you what to pour and in what order, and the stand will change color when one or another ingredient in the glass is enough. "With the help of Coaster, we decided to cook ... >>

Gene of eternal childhood 09.11.2019

In Italy, scientists have found the gene for "eternal childhood". This is Kallman's syndrome, which is characterized by delayed onset or absence of puberty and a problem with the sense of smell known as hyposmia. This condition occurs due to a deficiency in the production of hormones responsible for secondary sexual development and maturation. Italian scientists managed to discover the gene for "eternal childhood" as a result of a whole range of studies, in which, among other things, experiments were carried out on rodents. As a result, experts were able to determine the cause of the genetic failure leading to Kallman's syndrome. Similar problems occur in one in 30 men and one in 000 women. In these people, the function of reproduction of sex hormones is blocked, as a result of which they are forced to live all their lives in the body of a child. If Kallman syndrome is diagnosed immediately after birth, it is treatable, but it is a complex process. For this, artificial hormones are administered to patients. Find out the cause of ... >>

Learning errors 09.11.2019

Learning something, we inevitably make mistakes, and it is believed that without mistakes we cannot learn anything. But you can make many or few mistakes, and the question arises, how many mistakes are needed for the most effective learning? Obviously, there should not be too few of them - because then the question will arise whether we will learn anything new at all. Imagine, for example, that we are doing a grammar exercise in a foreign language, and we do it 100% the first time - this means that the exercise contains rules that we have long and well learned. But there should not be too many mistakes - because then we, most likely, will not complete our task at all and, again, will not learn anything. Let's imagine another language exercise in which we got it wrong almost everywhere - in this case, we are unlikely to understand what is right and what is not at all. Researchers from the University of Arizona, Princeton and other scientific centers calculated the number of errors that are optimal for learning - it turned out that they should be about 15%. That e ... >>

Razer Basilisk Ultimate and Basilisk X Hyperspeed Wireless Gaming Mice 08.11.2019

Razer's lineup of gaming mice has been expanded with two new wireless devices, the Razer Basilisk Ultimate and the Razer Basilisk X HyperSpeed. The Razer Basilisk Ultimate model is aimed at demanding users. It features a 20kdpi Focus+ optical sensor with high precision. The device also uses Razer HyperSpeed ​​wireless technology, which, according to the manufacturer, works 25% faster than other wireless gaming technologies (comparison was carried out by click delays). The novelty also received optical switches that work without physical contact and have a resource of 70 million clicks. The mouse features 11 programmable buttons, an adjustable resistance scroll wheel, and a 14-zone RGB lighting system that can be controlled using Razer Chroma Studio software. The battery provides up to 100 hours of battery life with the backlight off. Razer Basilisk Ultima price ... >>

Vodka from water and air 08.11.2019

New York Air Co. developed a recipe for vodka, consisting only of water and air. No grains, no yeast, just electricity. The company turns carbon from air into pure ethanol by electrically splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen. The carbon, oxygen and hydrogen atoms then recombine to form "environmentally friendly" ethanol. "The process is similar to photosynthesis, but more efficient," explains Air Co. CTO. Stafford Sheehan. The technology of the Americans simplifies the production of vodka and at the same time cleans the air, taking carbon from the external environment. The company calculated that one bottle of vodka purifies the air like seven large trees. In other words, each bottle removes half a kilo of carbon dioxide, writes CNBC. Air Co.'s air recycling machine takes up little space and is powered by solar energy. The only by-product in production is oxygen. Unlike other vodka companies, Air Co. don't need a gig ... >>

Elastic Stopwatch 07.11.2019

Chinese scientists have developed a stopwatch that shows the time on human skin - without additional devices. This extensible light emitting device operates at low levels of electrical stress and is safe for human skin. Recently, researchers have created stretchable light-emitting devices - variable voltage electroluminescent displays (ACELs) - that can be glued to skin or other surfaces such as temporary tattoos. However, in order for the display to glow brightly enough, a relatively high electrical voltage is required, which can be unsafe for humans. The new display operates at lower voltage levels and thus does not harm human skin. To make this device, the researchers took two flexible silver nanowire electrodes and placed an electroluminescent layer between them, which consists of light-emitting microparticles scattered in an elastic dielectric material. Device content ... >>

Monitor ASUS ROG Strix XG43VQ 07.11.2019

The ASUS monitor family has a new addition: the ROG Strix XG43VQ model debuted, designed for use as part of top-level gaming systems. The novelty has a concave shape (1800R). A 43,4-inch diagonal VA matrix was used. The resolution is 3840 x 1200 pixels, aspect ratio is 32:10. The monitor claims 90% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space. Viewing angles horizontally and vertically reach 178 degrees. Peak brightness is 450 cd/m2, contrast ratio is 3000:1. The panel has a refresh rate of 120Hz and a response time of 1ms. Support for FreeSync 2 HDR and DisplayHDR 400 is announced for the new product. The panel's arsenal includes the ASUS GamePlus toolkit: it includes a crosshair, a timer, a frame counter, and a picture alignment tool in multi-display configurations. Ultra-low Blue Light and Flicker Free technologies help reduce eye strain by reducing blue light emissions and preventing flicker. ... >>

Sweetened drinks cause obesity and tooth wear 06.11.2019

Scientists at King's College London found that being overweight or obese was clearly associated with tooth wear. Notably, they also found that increased consumption of sugary soft drinks may be a major cause of tooth enamel and dentin erosion in obese patients. Based on data from the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Survey, researchers analyzed a representative sample of 3541 patients in the survey in the United States. The patient's BMI and tooth wear rate were measures of exposure and outcome in the analysis. Consumption of sugar-sweetened sour drinks was recorded in two non-consecutive 24-hour surveys during which patients were asked to provide information about their diet during those two days. "It is the acidic nature of some drinks, such as sodas and acidic fruit juices, that causes tooth wear," says lead author Dr Saoirse O'T. ... >>

Ford Mustang Lithium Electric Muscle Car 06.11.2019

Ford has partnered with automotive component manufacturer Webasto to unveil a unique prototype, the Mustang Lithium electric muscle car. The car uses 800-volt technology. Such a system allows you to increase the power of the electric power platform, reduce its overall weight and reduce heating. The Mustang Lithium has over 900 horsepower and over 1350 Nm of torque. The acceleration time from 0 to 100 km / h, alas, is not given, but most likely it is about 3 s. One of the features of the prototype is the Getrag MT82 mechanical six-speed gearbox. The car is equipped with Ford Performance axle shafts and a Super 8.8 Torsen differential. Large 20-inch wheels are fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. Brembo mechanisms are responsible for effective braking. The muscle car received body parts made of carbon fiber. Various control modes are available, which can be selected via the 10,4" touch screen ... >>

New material accumulates and stores solar energy for decades 05.11.2019

Scientists at the Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg have found a way to use solar energy and also store it for decades to eventually be used for heating. The system will greatly surpass traditional batteries for heating. The bottom line is that the energy-saving coating could be applied to windows and even textiles. The system is based on a liquid molecule composed of carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen. When exposed to sunlight, the molecule absorbs solar energy and retains it until the catalyst begins to release it in the form of heat. It took almost 10 years and $2,5 million to develop a dedicated solar energy storage facility. According to Professor Mot-Poulsen of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, the device can store energy for 5-10 years longer than conventional lithium-ion batteries. A transparent coating that captures solar energy can be applied to house windows, cars and even clothing. Thus, it is reduced to ... >>

Ultrasound Influences Decision Making 05.11.2019

A new experiment by scientists at the University of Plymouth in the UK has shown for the first time that the frontal region of the brain, known as the anterior cingulate gyrus, can regulate counterfeit thinking. Counterfeit thinking is a type of decision making that involves considering options that are not currently available but may be available in the future. An example of counterfeit thinking is a person working indoors on a sunny day and at the same time saying to himself: "I could be outside enjoying the sun." Scientists altered counterfeit thinking in monkeys by targeting neurons in their anterior cingulate gyrus with non-invasive, low-intensity ultrasound. As part of the experiment, experts observed macaques who chose a delicacy from a number of options. The monkeys were quick to make a choice, but when it came to making it, it was out of their reach. However, they kept this choice in mind when it became available the next time. Using M ... >>

Portable radio APX Next 04.11.2019

Motorola Solutions has released a new version of the APX radio - APX Next. The modern modification for the first time is equipped with a touch screen and supports voice control. The APX Next model, in addition to the LMR (land mobile radio) portable radio standard, also supports LTE communication. The device is also capable of transmitting location data directly to the dispatcher. While many of these features have been available on smartphones for years, they are much more difficult to implement on such devices. The touch screen should work even in the rain or when the user is wearing gloves. In addition, care must be taken in the design so that LTE communication does not interfere with LMR connectivity. LMR is a vital technology in emergency situations where conventional cellular networks can be damaged or overloaded. APX Next's voice control features should also work differently than on smartphones. For starters, they rely on being activated ... >>

The brain recognizes a familiar tune in just 100 milliseconds 04.11.2019

Already 100-300 milliseconds after listening to a short fragment of a familiar song, the pupils dilate, and neural activity increases in the area of ​​the brain associated with memory. Researchers from University College London have found out how quickly the brain reacts to a familiar tune. 22 people took part in their experiment. 10 of them on the eve of the study sent scientists five familiar songs. For each of the familiar songs, the researchers selected a similar one - in terms of tempo, melody, harmony, vocals and instrumentation. During the experiment, 10 participants played 100 fragments (each less than a second) of a familiar, similar to a familiar and unfamiliar song, presented in random order. Another 12 subjects listened only to unfamiliar fragments, acting as a control group. During the experiment, scientists monitored how the subjects react to melodies. To record the processes occurring in the brain, the researchers used electroencephalography (EEG) - a method that allows ... >>

TI OPT3101 Optical Ranging Chip 03.11.2019

OPT3101 AFE is a new chip for determining the distance to an object by measuring the time of flight of photons. OPT3101 contains an analog part and an integrated LED driver. The device is connected to an external photodiode and an emitter such as LED, VCSEL or LASER. There is an I2C interface for outputting data on the distance to the object. The microcontroller can directly read the distance data, so there is no need to do additional calculations on the external MCU. All processing and accounting for corrections for crosstalk, initial and temperature drift are performed on the chip. The device also provides temperature measurement and output from the built-in sensor. The OPT3101 can operate at up to 4000 measurements per second. Given the high ambient light suppression ratio, the device can operate in bright sunlight (up to 130klx). The timing sequencer can be flexibly configured to provide the optimum power to performance ratio depending ... >>

Treatment of infections with electric current 03.11.2019

The original method, developed by scientists from the Swanson School of Engineering (SSOE) at the University of Pittsburgh (USA), is designed to treat infections caused by metal implants. The researchers suggest using electrochemical therapy to increase the ability of antibiotics to kill microbes. Titanium has many properties that make it a suitable material for implants: low density, high stiffness, high biomechanical strength-to-weight ratio, and corrosion resistance. Today, different types of implants are made from titanium: from dental to joint prostheses. However, there is a persistent problem with metal implants: their surface is an ideal place for germs to accumulate, causing chronic infections and inflammation in the surrounding tissue. So, about five to 10 percent of dental implants fail and must be removed within 10-15 years so that the infection does not spread to the blood and other organs. To ... >>

Screen for the blind 02.11.2019

A new shape-shifting tactile display allows visually impaired people to touch 3D objects and navigate complex programs. Blind and visually impaired people cannot fully use computers without special devices. A group of developers from Stanford came up with a new way of interaction between a computer and a visually impaired person. The device displays information in 2,5D, as if in a CAD program, using a "2,5D display" consisting of pins that can be raised or lowered. The "288D display" consists of 12 thin pins arranged in a 24xXNUMX rectangle. Their upper ends are rounded, and they themselves can rise to different heights, recreating the shape of different objects. This happens so quickly that the "screen" is able to work in real time. "This opens up new opportunities for blind people to be not only consumers of technology, but also to create their own using XNUMXD modeling," explained one of the developers J. ... >>

Cookies in orbit 02.11.2019

Today, the Cygnus robotic cargo ship left for the International Space Station with a variety of equipment necessary for astronauts. The ISS laboratory should receive a cargo weighing about 3,7 thousand kg on Monday. In particular, the astronauts were sent for testing a new oven - Zero-G Oven. The electric furnace is designed specifically for operation in microgravity conditions - like on board the ISS. The crew will explore how microgravity affects the baking process, as well as how heat transfer occurs in microgravity. Among other things, the astronauts are going to bake chocolate chip cookies. It is expected that the study will help in the future to safely prepare foods familiar to earthlings in space. In addition, astronauts benefit psychologically and physiologically from delicious cooked food. In addition, other equipment was sent to the ISS. Including a special machine that can turn garbage and plastic waste into raw materials for a 3D printer, ... >>

DJI Mavic Mini foldable drone 01.11.2019

DJI has released the DJI Mavic Mini, a lightweight foldable quadcopter designed for everyday use as a flying camera. The novelty has a mass of only 249 g and can fit even in a small bag. Mavic Mini is the smallest and lightest drone ever built by DJI. At the same time, the device is equipped with a number of security solutions. These include built-in geo-restriction to help pilots avoid restricted areas, as well as AeroScope remote identification. Also, the novelty contains built-in height restrictions and provides automatic return to the launch point when the drone loses connection with the controller or reaches a critically low battery level. For added security, the 360° Propeller Guard Kit provides 360-degree protection for your drone. The drone contains a built-in camera based on a 12-megapixel 1/2,3-inch sensor. The camera allows you to make a 12-megapixel f ... >>

ginkgo insecticide 01.11.2019

Chemists at Scripps Research (USA) have come up with an effective method to create a synthetic version of the plant compound bilobalide, which is naturally produced by ginkgo trees. This is a significant breakthrough because bilobalide and closely related compounds have potential commercial value as drugs and "green" insecticides. Ginkgo trees produce an insect repellant compound, but it is not actually toxic to humans. The new method allows chemists to obtain and study bilobalide and related compounds relatively easily and much cheaper than previously possible. The ginkgo tree (Ginkgo biloba) is considered a living fossil. Its related species existed on Earth 270 million years ago, before the advent of the dinosaurs, and managed to survive the subsequent global cataclysms that destroyed the dinosaurs, as well as many plant and animal species. It is not surprising that, given this heritage, individual varieties ... >>

New stable form of plutonium discovered 31.10.2019

A team of researchers from the HZDR Institute (Helmholtz Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf), Germany, has discovered a completely new stable form of plutonium quite by accident. This unstable and radioactive element needs special measures during transportation, storage and disposal, and the discovery of German scientists can become a new way to solve the problems mentioned above. The instability of plutonium makes it an incredibly powerful source of energy, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, a potentially destructive force capable of causing an ecological catastrophe. Some of the isotopes of plutonium can exist for tens of millions of years, and it is easy to imagine the consequences of contamination of groundwater, for example, with such isotopes. Therefore, scientists are constantly looking for new ways to more safely store, transport and dispose of plutonium and its compounds. And just during such studies, scientists from HZDR accidentally found a new stable form. One of the most ... >>

E-bike with face recognition 31.10.2019

The Spanish cycling startup has unveiled the new X One e-bike. It is reported that in the frame of the steering wheel there is a touch screen with a recognition function, the vehicle can recognize the face of its owner, and also supports many other "smart" functions. So, the electric bike displays the battery level and the current speed. Embedded in its frame is an ambient light sensor that senses how much light is around it, allowing it to automatically turn on the headlights or taillights. In addition, they can be turned on with a voice command. Two LEDs are built into the steering wheel, which give signals when turning. Buttons are not needed for them - the smartphone's camera recognizes the owner's head turn and the bike itself turns on the necessary turn signal. The buyer will be offered a choice of X One electric bike in four colors: original copper, gray, black-red or gray-green. The vehicle has a range of up to 50 km, and it takes 2,5 hours to fully charge. The buyer can also equip ... >>

The smallest black hole 30.10.2019

Ohio University astronomers studying black holes in our galaxy, the Milky Way, have discovered what they believe is a new type of black hole - the smallest of any previously described in science. Black holes form after stars die, collapse and explode, creating gravitational vortices so strong that even light cannot "escape" from them. Prior to this study, astronomers had discovered black holes that were 5 to 15 times the mass of our Sun, and neutron stars were only twice the mass of the Sun. But a neutron star can collapse and turn into a black hole if it reaches a mass greater than 2,5 times the mass of the Sun. Then this black hole will grow. That changed after a gravitational wave observatory called LIGO discovered two black holes merging into one in a galaxy 1,8 million light-years away. Two monstrous black holes were 31 times the mass of the Sun. This expanded the known range of black holes. ... >>

Charging an electric car in 10 minutes 30.10.2019

In English, there is a term "range anxiety" - one of the factors that still prevents normal sales of battery-powered electric vehicles from being established. Roughly speaking, this is the fear that the battery will not be enough to get you to your destination. This fear is justified, because today the capacity of such batteries is small, and they charge from an hour, or even several times longer. However, this problem may soon be a thing of the past. Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a technology that allows modern EV batteries to be fully charged in just a few minutes. "We have demonstrated that we can charge an electric car in 10 minutes and after that it will travel from 350 to 500 km," said chemical engineer Chao-Yang Wang. According to him, the technology supports 2500 such charging cycles, which is equivalent to 750 kilometers. This is very important because EV batteries (like those found in laptops and smartphones) are lithium-ion batteries that support ... >>

Driving school for rats 29.10.2019

In the laboratory of the University of Richmond, biologists staged a rat race. For several months, the animals were taught to drive a vehicle to test how complex the rat brain is. Before the experiment, the rodents were divided into two groups. Some grew up in a variety of environments with educational toys. Others were placed in an ordinary laboratory cell. Four months later, the rats were introduced to homemade cars. The cabin for little drivers was built from a plastic container. To start the motor, it was enough to stand on the floor and grab the copper wire. By pressing on certain parts of the wire, the driver could choose the direction of travel: right, left or straight ahead. Rodents rode in a special arena, measuring 120 by 60 centimeters. As a reward for good driving, the rats received sweet corn rings. But over time, the task became more difficult, and in order to earn a treat, the animals had to travel an increasing distance. The best drivers turned out to be rats from the first ... >>

The number of insects is catastrophically reduced 29.10.2019

A team of experts from the Technical University of Munich revealed a reduction in the insect population by almost a third, which indicates the detrimental effect of human activities on the biosphere. And this applies not only to fields treated with pesticides, but also to forests and other protected natural areas. Scientists have studied more than a million insects (2700 species) in three hundred sites, and found that over the past decade, the number of insects has declined significantly. And some species of insects have disappeared altogether from their former habitats. As a result, the number of arthropods in the forests decreased by 40 percent, and in the fields up to 1/3. The researchers found the disappearance of insects in all types of woodlands and fields that were studied by the research team. Moreover, this affected territories untouched by human activity. Scientists are expressing their concern about the decline in the number of insects. If the trend continues, it is difficult to imagine how the world around us will change in the coming years. ... >>

Our mirror neurons are dependent on money. 28.10.2019

A person's ability to empathize with others depends on what social class they belong to, says Michael Varnum, a neuroscientist at the University of Arizona. To study the level of empathy, an American scientist invited 58 people from different walks of life to participate. As part of the experiment, volunteers had to fill out a questionnaire, answering a list of questions about their parents' education, total family income, wages, and so on. The participants were then asked to undergo an electroencephalographic study. At the same time, they were shown pictures of people with neutral facial expressions and people whose faces were contorted in pain. The subjects were constantly asked to look at an object. Thus, the faces were only a distraction, so the volunteers should not have guessed that the level of their ability to empathize with other people was being analyzed. The results of the experiment showed that the nervous system of people with a higher socio-economic ... >>

TARS-IMU - tilt sensor with CAN bus for construction equipment 28.10.2019

Honeywell's new TARS-IMU sensors are complete devices for detecting the inclination, acceleration and angular velocity of an object. TARS-IMUs include a 6-axis accelerometer and a gyroscope. They can be used in transport and stationary construction equipment, providing primary data to automation and traffic monitoring systems. Two models of sensors differ in operating voltage: 5 V for TARS-LCASS and 9...36 V for TARS-HCASS. Data transmission is carried out via the CAN J1939 industrial bus. In the basic factory configuration, TARS-IMU provides an accuracy of +-0,3 degrees and a resolution of 0,014 degrees in inclinometer mode. IP67 and IP69K external rating provides protection against various liquids such as diesel fuel, hydraulic oil, ethylene glycol, brake fluid, ammonium hydroxide, alkaline degreaser and others. Features of TARS-IMU sensors: Measurement of acceleration, inclination, angular velocity (six axes); Robust heat-resistant plastic housing (IP67 ... >>

Sony Triporous Fiber sock material 27.10.2019

Sony's new high-tech fibers for textiles and garments promise extremely high levels of absorption of unwanted odors emitted through perspiration during active life. Earlier this year, Sony began licensing proprietary porous organic material technology under the brand name Triporous. Now the company said that the first products based on this technology - threads, fabrics and clothes under the brand name Triporous FIBER - have begun to be delivered to the market. Triporous is made from rice husks in a controlled combustion process. The result is a porous carbon structure that absorbs the entire spectrum of molecules from light to heavy. Triporous contains pores ranging in diameter from 2 nm to 50 nm and 1 µm. For example, ordinary activated carbon cannot absorb large molecules efficiently, while Triporous will absorb molecules with a small molecular weight with equal efficiency. ... >>

Space telescope heat shield 27.10.2019

NASA has successfully tested the heat shield of the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) project began in 1996. Recently, NASA fully assembled the device for the first time, and now it has become known about the successful tests of the JWST heat shield. The deployable heat shield is an important element of the device: it is needed to protect the telescope from radiation, primarily from the sun. The JWST shield includes five thin layers of Kapton; the maximum temperature of the outer, hottest layer is expected to be around 110 degrees Celsius and the coldest layer to -237 degrees Celsius. This month, NASA experts tested the deployment of a heat shield in simulated space conditions. It is indicated that the tests were successful. Now the shield will be folded into flight configuration, after which James Webb will undergo a series of tests, and then specialists will conduct the final deployment of the device and put it back into flight configuration. ... >>

Electronic Notebook Sharp WG-PN1 26.10.2019

Sharp has announced a new e-ink digital notepad that will allow you to sketch, take notes or make a list of important things in a more familiar form for adult users. Sharp WG-PN1 has dimensions of 157 x 114 x 10,4 mm and weighs 210 g. The electronic notebook is equipped with a 6-inch display based on E Ink technology with a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels. Its body is made of gray plastic like many business laptops. The notebook comes with a case that protects its display during transport. The lid also has a loop that is used to store the stylus. The device is powered by a lithium-ion battery that can be charged via the USB-C connector located at the bottom. It is claimed that the battery lasts for 10 days of use, but everything, of course, depends on the intensity of use. The device can store up to 7000 pages of handwritten data. In addition, users can transfer these notes to a computer or smartphone in ... >>

A quantum processor woven from light 26.10.2019

An international team of scientists has made a processor for a universal quantum computer, creating a sufficiently large cluster state for the first time in 20 years of research in this area. Quantum computers promise to solve problems too complex for classical machines, but they need a lot of components to do so, and they all need to be relatively accurate. Modern quantum computers are still too small and often make mistakes. A new design of cluster states, proposed by scientists from Australia, Japan and the USA, provides the necessary scale and, finally, can surpass classical computers. Cluster states are a set of entangled quantum components that perform quantum computations. To be useful for solving real problems, a cluster state must be both large enough and have the correct entanglement structure. However, in the 20 years since they were proposed, scientists have not been able to achieve both at the same time, Nicholas explained. ... >>

Huawei 5G Mobile WiFi Pro Router 25.10.2019

Huawei has unveiled Huawei 5G Mobile WiFi, a mobile WiFi router with a built-in 5G modem that can also act as a power bank for other mobile devices. Externally, Huawei 5G Mobile WiFi resembles a regular portable battery in a rectangular case. At the same time, the design of the router echoes the Huawei Mate 30 RS Porsche Design premium smartphone: here the front panel is leather-like, diluted with a vertical strip of black glass in the center. Huawei 5G Mobile WiFi equipment includes the Balong 5 5000G modem with support for non-standalone (NSA) and standalone (Standalone, SA) networks, which we detailed here. Huawei claims speeds of up to 1,56 Gbps (connection) and up to 867 Mbps (connection). Huawei 5G Mobile WiFi will be offered in two versions 5G Mobile WiFi and 5G Mobile WiFi Pro, differing in built-in battery capacity and charging speeds. The younger 5G Mobile WiFi is equipped with sun ... >>

Analogue of human skin for a smartphone 25.10.2019

Scientists have developed a unique material that allows smartphones to respond to human touch, including tickling, stroking and pinching. The material is made of two layers of silicone and can completely imitate human skin. Artificial skin is developed on the basis of two layers of silicone, between which there is a special electrode layer. It consists of ultra-thin wires that act as very sensitive sensors. If you put a case made of such material on your phone, you can convey your emotions to the interlocutor not by pressing the touch screen, but in more familiar ways for human communication. Stroking, tickling or angry squeezing is recognized by the system as emoticons corresponding to such emotions. "Familiarization with the material provides a more natural interface for users," said one of the developers of the project, Professor Ann Roudo from the University of Bristol. The engineers called their device Skin-On. It can be connected to various ... >>

X-Pro3 Mirrorless Camera 24.10.2019

The Japanese company Fujifilm has introduced a new flagship model of a series of mirrorless cameras X - X-Pro3. The device is based on a 4 megapixel APS-C back-illuminated X-Trans CMOS 26,1 image sensor. The X-Processor 4 processor, already familiar to photographers from the Fujifilm X-T3 and X-T30 cameras, is responsible for processing the captured frames. Phase-detection autofocus works down to -6 EV. Light sensitivity - ISO 160-12800 with an extension to ISO 80-51200. The novelty has received an improved hybrid viewfinder, in which the optical channel is combined with an OLED display with the ability to switch between them. An interesting design feature is that the built-in liquid crystal display is not visible in normal mode. In order to use its services, you will have to tilt the screen down at an angle of up to 180 °. And so only a tiny auxiliary display with a diagonal of 1,28 inches is available. The camera can shoot video at resolutions up to DCI 4K 4096 x 2160 pixels. There are Wi-Fi modules ... >>

Gadgets cause accelerated aging 24.10.2019

Prolonged exposure to the bluish light that gadget screens emit damages the retina and brain cells. This conclusion was made by scientists at the University of Oregon in the United States. The researchers tested how the body of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster would react to a 12-hour daily exposure to blue LED light. It turned out that those who were exposed to light radiation during the day or at night died earlier than insects in the control group, who were in the dark or in light with filtered blue rays. The flies in the experimental group showed damage to the retina and neurons of the brain, as well as disturbances in motor activity. Some insects were mutants that did not develop eyes. However, even eyeless flies had brain damage. In general, blue light accelerated the aging process by influencing the activity of several genes involved in the development of a protective response to stress. ... >>

Delay global warming 23.10.2019

United Nations experts believe that global warming can be delayed by 20 years. This will require 300 billion dollars - they are necessary for the purchase and planting of new trees. "Carbon dioxide is considered the most harmful to the climate. Only planting new trees and plants will help close it in the soil for a while. Thus, humanity will get 20 years, as a maximum, to create and adapt to climate-friendly technologies," - according to the UN report. According to experts, humanity will need to invest about 300 billion dollars to purchase and plant new trees around the world. In total, citizens must restore 900 million hectares of land that have been devastated by human activities. ... >>

Raytheon laser systems for detecting and destroying drones 23.10.2019

Raytheon has handed over the first buggy equipped with a laser anti-drone system to the US Air Force. About one year passed from the moment the technology was presented to its implementation in the form of a ready-made weapon system. The device is a high-energy laser system installed on a cross-country vehicle. It uses electro-optical/infrared sensors to detect and track drones. Once the system identifies and starts tracking the unwanted flying device, it will then neutralize the drone with a laser. The whole process of destroying the target takes a few seconds. The system can be powered by a standard 220-volt outlet and can fire dozens of laser shots on a single charge. The device can be paired with a generator if it needs to be in the field for an extended period of time. The Air Force received an anti-UAV system earlier this month and did ... >>

Nano guitar string plays by itself 22.10.2019

Scientists from Lancaster University and Oxford University (UK) have created a "nano-string" that vibrates without any external influence. A tiny wire, resembling a guitar string, can be driven directly by an electric current. To create the device, the researchers took a carbon nanotube, which is a wire about three nanometers in diameter, about 100 times thinner than a guitar string. They attached the "string" to metal supports at each end and then cooled it down to 000 degrees above absolute zero, which is -0,02°C. The central part of the wire was free to vibrate, which the researchers could detect by running a current through the wire and measuring the change in electrical resistance. Just as a guitar string vibrates when it is plucked, a wire vibrates when electrical voltage is applied to it. Surprisingly, when they repeated the experiment without external forces, they ... >>

Loudest bird on earth found 22.10.2019

A group of ornithologists from the US and Brazil have announced that the one-horned bell ringer Procnias albus, which lives in the forests of the Amazon, is the loudest bird on Earth. Males of these birds can produce a sound at least nine decibels higher than the previous record. Male ringers are painted bright white and are distinguished by a long "whisker" above the beak. Attracting females, they sing songs, the volume of which can reach 125 decibels. For comparison, the volume of a fire siren is 100 decibels, and near the working engines of an aircraft, the sound reaches 120 decibels. The previous record was held by the noisy Lipaugus vociferans. In the course of the study, the scientists measured the volume of the singing of three fir and eight ringers in natural conditions and from different distances, accurately fixing the distance to the bird. This made it possible to calculate the volume that 250-gram single-whiskered bell ringers are capable of and set a new record. The authors note that small birds are perfectly adapted for loud songs, they are thick ... >>

Service for shared rides on self-driving vehicles 21.10.2019

In 2021, Panasonic plans to launch a ride-sharing service in small towns using small self-driving electric vehicles. This month, the manufacturer has already launched such a service at its headquarters in Osaka Prefecture. It is available to employees working here. The electric vehicles travel along a route that is about 2,4 km long and takes them about 21 minutes to complete. The maximum speed of the electric vehicle is 20 km/h. The traffic schedule is flexible, determined by the needs of users, but the minimum traffic interval is only 10 minutes. The electric car has four seats. Panasonic's automated driving system uses high-precision human recognition technology. If necessary, the electric vehicle can be operated manually - remotely or on site. Panasonic expects such services to be rolled out to theme parks or venues for major events such as the 2025 Osaka World Expo. ... >>

Bizen process is better than CMOS 21.10.2019

British companies Search For The Next (SFN) and Semefab have jointly developed a semiconductor manufacturing process that is said to revolutionize the industry. The developers were not afraid of fundamental changes at the level of transistors and returned to five decades ago, when CMOS technology and field-effect transistors did not yet dominate. The new process, called Bizen, is built on the use of bipolar transistors and the principles of quantum tunnel mechanics. Compared to CMOS, Bizen results in a fivefold reduction in lead times, from the current fifteen weeks to three. In addition, the new process provides a threefold increase in gate density, which corresponds to a threefold reduction in die size. Finally, Bizen halves the number of technology layers required. At the same time, performance and power consumption indicators are achieved, which are characteristic of modern products manufactured using CMOS technology. ... >>

5G communication module for cars 20.10.2019

The South Korean company LG Innotek has introduced an automotive communication module that supports 5G networks. According to the manufacturer, this is the world's first 5G module for cars. It is built on the Qualcomm element base. The design of the module includes a modem, memory and RF circuits - about 480 components in total. The module provides real-time traffic information exchange, precise location determination, V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything - between the vehicle and surrounding objects) communication and transmission of large amounts of data. In other words, it performs the key functions required for fully autonomous driving without driver input. Using 5G technology for an in-vehicle communication module has proved challenging because it uses high frequencies, resulting in more signal loss than LTE (Long Term Evolution, 4G mobile technology). Another problem is the high heat dissipation. However, 5G provides an important advantage ... >>

New material catches carbon dioxide molecules 20.10.2019

Researchers from the University of Kyoto, the University of Tokyo (Japan) and Jiangsu University (China) have developed a new material that can selectively capture carbon dioxide (CO2) molecules and efficiently convert them into useful organic materials. The new material is a porous coordination polymer (PCP, also known as MOF, metal-organic framework) - a framework composed of zinc metal ions. The researchers tested their material using X-ray diffraction analysis and found that it could selectively capture only CO2 molecules with ten times the efficiency of other PCPs. Human consumption of fossil fuels has led to an increase in global CO2 emissions, leading to serious problems associated with global warming and climate change. One way to counter this is to "remove" carbon from the atmosphere, but current methods of doing so are very energy intensive. Low reactivity ... >>

Miniature infrared spectrometer 19.10.2019

Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) have created a tiny infrared spectrometer that is small enough to fit on a semiconductor chip and yet "provides a lot of interesting possibilities." According to the researchers, chips with such spectrometers can be used in a variety of areas, from the space industry to everyday items. One example of this is the integration into the design of mobile phones. Using an infrared spectrometer in a smartphone and a special application, this device becomes able to determine the alcohol content in a liquid, conduct a simple chemical analysis of a substance, determine the degree of maturity of fruits and vegetables, and perform a number of other functions that will be useful to people of various professions. The main achievement in all this is the extremely small size of the spectrometer. ... >>

Volvo XC40 Recharge electric crossover 19.10.2019

Volvo Cars has officially unveiled the Volvo XC40 Recharge electric SUV, the first model of the new Recharge family of electrified vehicles and the brand's first mass-produced electric vehicle. The Volvo XC40 Recharge is based on the Volvo XC40 compact ICE crossover introduced two years ago. To encourage the use of electric traction, with each Recharge family hybrid vehicle, customers will receive a year of free electricity use by reimbursing average electricity consumption over that period. The Volvo XC40 Recharge electric SUV received a new all-wheel drive electric propulsion system with two motors on each axle with a total output of 300 kW / 408 hp. (150 kW on each axle). As a result, the acceleration time to 100 km/h takes 4,7 seconds and the top speed is 180 km/h. From a full charge of the 78 kWh battery, the electric car is capable of driving 400 km on the WLTP cycle. Built into the model ... >>

Astronauts go into outer space for the first time 18.10.2019

Today, NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Christina Koch, as part of the first-ever women's mission, went into outer space from the International Space Station to repair the ISS power equipment. The broadcast is on the NASA website. The astronauts will be in outer space for six and a half hours. They will have to repair the element of the power supply system that provides the ISS with energy when the station is in the shadow of the Earth. They will also prepare the conditions for future missions outside the station. This is the 221st EVA from the ISS. The first all-female spacewalk in history was originally supposed to take place back in March. It was supposed to be carried out by Christina Koch and Ann McLane, but that time it did not work out. At the last moment, it turned out that there were no two spacesuits of the same size at the station, and McClain's partner, Christina Koch, went into space. Meir became the 15th woman to spacewalk and the 14th woman from the United States. ... >>

Artificial intelligence has created a new material 18.10.2019

At the California Institute of Technology, scientists had to use the "trial and error" method in order to create a fundamentally new material. To create the necessary materials much faster without the need for a lot of experiments, experts involved artificial intelligence in this process. Scientists managed to create a material with incredible compressibility and strength without experimenting. The next generation of materials should be responsive, multi-purpose and customizable. This can be achieved with structurally dominant materials (metamaterials), which use new geometries to achieve unprecedented properties and functionality. According to the lead author of the work, inspiration came to him while examining solar sails. He thought about the possibility of creating such a material, a large area of ​​which could be compressed into a small volume. Then, according to him, we could create bicycles, umbrellas and many other ... >>

Alternative to pain medications 17.10.2019

In Tasmania, they found a fungus that produces a super-powerful analgesic. It can be used as a non-addictive pain reliever, unlike the opioids currently in use. Biologists from the University of Sydney, led by Professor MacDonald Christie, discovered a new subspecies of the fungus Penicillium 10 years ago, studying various colonies of microbes, fungi and small invertebrates near one of the marinas. The Penicillium subspecies is a distant relative of the fungi from which the first antibiotic, penicillin, was extracted. For a long time, scientists did not investigate the found fungi. During new research, it turned out that the Penicillium subspecies produces three types of short protein molecules at once, which are similar in structure to the endorphins produced by the human body. The found protein molecules of bilaida act on nerve cells differently than other well-known herbal or synthetic preparations. Connection with opioid r ... >>

Xiaomi Smart Mattress 17.10.2019

A mattress called Chanitex Smart Temperature Controlled Mattress with adjustable temperature will be especially useful on cold winter nights, and even in autumn, until the central heating is turned on. As the manufacturer explains, the technology used in this household item distinguishes it from a conventional electric heating blanket. The mattress contains several layers of cotton and a grid of PVC tubes in the middle, which is responsible for heating. The electric current is not transmitted inside the mattress, instead it heats the module, which can be placed on the bedside table, the module heats the water, which then flows through the tubes. As a result, such a mattress is safe for children and the elderly. It automatically turns off after 15 hours of operation without user intervention. There is also protection against water spillage, lack of water, overheating, and so on. You can control the temperature through the MIJIA application - settings are supported from 25 to 60 ° C. The highest tempera ... >>

The fastest ant 16.10.2019

British scientists have announced that the Saharan silver ant (Cataglyphis bombycina) can cover a distance of almost a meter per second, that is, 100 times its body length. Ants live in some of the most extreme environments among insects. They live in the Sahara desert, where temperatures can reach 60 degrees Celsius. Most animals try to hide in the hottest time, but not ants. During the period of activity, which reaches a maximum of 10 minutes, they roam the desert sands in search of insects and small animals that have become victims of the heat. Since the 1980s, scientists have assumed that Saharan silver ants can move at a speed of a meter per second. However, this statement has long been questioned by researchers. Now scientists have measured the speed of movement of insects and found out that in a second they cover a distance of 85,5 centimeters, that is, a little less than a meter. ... >>

Super-maneuverable Tsubame satellite 16.10.2019

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has successfully completed tests of the Tsubame satellite, designed to demonstrate the technology of a spacecraft (SC) in low Earth orbit. Launched in December 2017 into an elliptical orbit with a perigee of 450 kilometers, the spacecraft moved into an orbit with a perigee of 2018 kilometers at the beginning of 392. Then the satellite descended into orbit with a perigee of 271 kilometers, where it stayed for about a month. After that, Tsubame successively descended into orbits with perigees of 250 kilometers, 240 kilometers and 230 kilometers, lingering in each for about a week. Then the spacecraft was in orbit with a perigee of 217 kilometers for about a month. In the next orbit (altitude 181 kilometers), the satellite lasted a week. At the end of the mission, Tsubame stabilized its position in orbit for several days with a perigee of 167 kilometers. In the latter case, to maintain altitude and counteract the frontal aerodynamic drag, the spacecraft additionally used the sky ... >>

Varistors HMOV 15.10.2019

Littelfuse has announced the release of the highly reliable HMOV series varistors for heavy duty applications. Designed with an innovative silicone coated coating, the HMOV series varistors are the first varistors in the industry capable of operating at a maximum temperature of 125°C with an insulation value of 2500V! Standard products cannot provide the above parameters. For example, conventional epoxy-coated varistors can operate at a maximum of 85°C, while phenol-coated varistors are limited in isolation voltage (typically up to 800 V). The reliability of HMOV varistors is confirmed by the Thermal Shock Cycling Test from -55ºC to 125ºC for 1000 cycles! HMOV varistors have good pulse power dissipation. The peak currents of varistors with a disk diameter of 20 mm reach a level of 10 kA (with a pulse front of 8/20 µs). The combination of high on ... >>

Melting glaciers in the Swiss Alps recognized as unprecedented 15.10.2019

Swiss glaciers have lost a tenth of their mass in the last five years. This rate of melting is unprecedented in the history of observations. In the latest study, scientists measured the height and volume of twenty glaciers. The results showed that in the summer months they melt so intensively that they do not have time to compensate for losses during winter snowfalls. So, in April-May 2019, the snow cover on the glaciers was 20-40% higher than usual, and in June in some places it reached six meters. But that all changed after two extended heatwaves. In just four weeks, the glaciers released as much water as all the inhabitants of the country consume in a year. The thick layer of snow quickly disappeared, and the melting continued until early September. "This means that over the past 12 months, about two percent of the total volume of Swiss glaciers has been lost," the members of the commission explained. The report was published just a month after the conditional "burial" of the Pizol glacier. About 250 people passed ... >>

Telescope PICTURE-C 14.10.2019

The NASA space agency will search for planets similar to Earth. To do this, a telescope was raised to a height of 125 feet (about 38,1 km), using special optical technology to filter light from stars that are not in orbit, which is designed to provide better visibility. To raise the telescope to a given height, NASA used a helium balloon, which is comparable in size to an entire football field. Such a large balloon is necessary due to the fact that the telescope itself also has considerable dimensions and weight. Its length is about 4,3 meters, width - about 0,9 meters, and weight - about 680 kg. The PICTURE-C telescope will operate at the edge of the Earth's atmosphere to provide a clear view. This is a reusable piece of equipment that will stay airborne for hours on a single launch. After the end of the mission, the telescope will detach and return to Earth using a parachute. NASA has invested $5,6 million in funding for this project. ... >>

Neutrino mass measured 14.10.2019

Neutrinos are responsible for many important processes that take place in stars. This particle was previously predicted only theoretically and was introduced to explain the excess energy that comes from the Sun when thermonuclear reactions take place on it. Observing neutrinos directly is very difficult, and for this, scientists carry out ultra-precise measurements in the water column of a huge volume. Until recently, it was believed that the neutrino is a massless particle, the same as a photon. But the new study not only claims it has mass, it puts limits on its meaning. To do this, scientists used information from various sources, including space and ground-based telescopes that observe the first light of the universe (cosmic microwave background radiation), supernovae, the largest 3D map of galaxies in the universe, particle accelerators and nuclear reactors. The analysis method they use can be applied to many other types of particles, the scientists say. With his help, he succeeded ... >>

Tesla will clatter its hooves 13.10.2019

Vehicle personalization is the most common reason for various amateur and professional vehicle modifications. However, what if the machine allows you to change many settings with just a software update? Tesla owners have long been accustomed to the fact that with every change in the firmware of their "electric horse" some function appears, and for everyone else this will be news: the sound of the car can be changed. Tesla will clatter coconut hooves at low speeds Electric vehicles are almost silent at low speeds, so regulators require manufacturers to make sure that electric cars make some kind of warning sound when they drive slowly. In the next update, Tesla will allow its customers to choose from a rich library of audio files, and possibly upload their own samples. In his Twitter account, Elon Musk promised that, among other sounds, there would be at least wind noise, bleating goats and even "clopping hooves" from the movie. ... >>

Asus Strix Arion 13.10.2019

Asus has expanded its range with a new product from the Strix family. The novelty is called ROG Strix Arion and this is a case for creating an external SSD. ROG Strix Arion is compatible with 2230, 2242, 2260 and 2280 NVMe drives and offers USB-C 3.2 Gen2 connectivity. That is, the maximum transfer rate can reach 10 Gbps. Asus is focusing on an aluminum case and thermal pads for better heat dissipation from the drive. There is also Aura lighting, which, of course, only works when connected to a PC. The dimensions of the novelty are 125,6 x 47,8 x 10,9 mm with a weight of 98 g. The kit includes a strap with a special hook in the form of the letter R. ... >>

An ultra-strong form of silver has been created 12.10.2019

When it comes to the properties of various metals, there is always a compromise between their strength and electrical conductivity. However, this may change with the advent of a new class of materials, such as a form of silver recently created by one of the research teams. Using lattice defects to their advantage, scientists at the University of Vermont have preserved the metal's conductivity, giving it a strength so high that it even exceeds the theoretical limit, which was considered unshakable for several decades. Crystal lattice defects are an "evil" that inevitably arises in the production process. In some cases, these defects cause the vulnerability of metals to various negative factors and reduce their durability. Combining multiple metals into alloys overcomes some of the problems, but typically suffers from the electrical and thermal conductivity of the final material. The strength of silver was given by a very small amount ... >>

Aluminum batteries are better than lithium-ion 12.10.2019

Physicists say that batteries based on aluminum ions are much more efficient and environmentally friendly than lithium batteries that are popular today. Progress cannot be stopped, and today we all depend on batteries, whether we like it or not. Everything from smartphones to cars requires a battery to run. However, modern lithium-ion batteries have a number of obvious disadvantages. A new study has shown that the upgraded type of aluminum battery is far superior to the current standard. The main advantage of aluminum batteries is the relatively low production costs and the use of materials that are abundant on our planet and are readily available. This means that a person does not have to destroy entire ecosystems and spend huge resources in order to obtain materials for their manufacture. First of all, this concept is suitable for large-scale power systems - for example, for areas where it is possible to extract energy from ... >>

Intestinal bacteria control the intestinal clock 11.10.2019

When we talk about the biological clock that controls the daily activity of cells, organs and the body as a whole, we must always remember that we have quite a lot of these clocks: there are central ones that are in the brain, and there are peripheral ones that control individual organs and systems. organs. And, for example, it depends on the intestinal clock how nutrients will be absorbed depending on the time of day. But in the gut, as we know, lives a colossal mass of symbiotic bacteria that help us digest food (and not only). It can be assumed that the intestinal microflora somehow affects the intestinal clock, and indeed, studies have shown that it does - if all bacteria were removed from the intestine, its daily rhythms were upset. But how exactly do bacteria affect the intestinal biological clock? Most likely, microbes secrete some substances that act on genes, on which the course of the internal clock depends. Employees at the University of Te Southwestern Medical Center ... >>

Flies help alcoholics 11.10.2019

Everyone knows the effect of alcohol on the human body - however, even the most experienced and qualified neuroscientists cannot fully unravel the mystery of what exactly happens to the brain during intoxication. Traditionally, ethanol molecules were thought to directly affect nerve cells in the brain, but a new study from the Scripps Institute has shown that several other molecules are also involved in this process, making the process of intoxication and subsequent hangover more complex from a neurobiological point of view. In particular, experts conducted several experiments on fruit flies, inducing ethanol to them. By observing flies, experts have found that they also go through the same phases of intoxication as humans - however, along with this, experts also noticed a new molecular mechanism. At the moment when the ethanol molecules reach the nerve cells of the brain, an enzyme called phospholipase D2 comes into play, which connects the molecules together. ... >>

Increased the effectiveness of explosives 10.10.2019

Scientists at the British company BAE Systems have developed a technology that increases the power of explosives. The essence of the development is resonant acoustic mixing. For the experiment, BAE Systems specialists, using a new technology, created an explosive mixture with a polymer binder. The explosive mass was 400 grams. The substance was placed in a container with an electric detonator. Measurements taken during and after the explosion showed that the new type of explosive obtained using this technology gives a greater energy yield, namely 20% more. Penetrating and destructive actions have increased compared to explosives produced using conventional technology. Resonant acoustic mixing allows the mixing of more viscous explosive components without the use of additional solvents. With mechanical stirring, solvents are added to viscous components, which reduce their viscosity. The use of new technology will eliminate the use of ... >>

Battery Power System for NB-IoT Wireless LTE Module 10.10.2019

A new Texas Instruments development with three power converters, together with discharge state monitoring chips, allows you to accurately measure the state of lithium batteries in NB-IoT devices and transmit this information over a cellular network. The development demonstrates three different power architectures for smart meters with lithium manganese dioxide (LiMnO2) primary batteries and commercial off-the-shelf narrowband modules for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Three power options are combined on one board as an example of a practical smart flow meter battery subsystem with a battery life assessment function (State-of-Health, SOH). Always-on in-system current monitoring detects peak RF transmission current, and SOH measurement is performed with an adjustable delay for more accurate results. High-efficiency power plans for NB-IoT cellular modules with battery level indicator ... >>

Dog owners live longer 09.10.2019

Dog lovers should thank their pets. Having a dog in the home is associated with an increase in life expectancy, two new studies conducted by the American Heart Association have shown at once. Dog owners live longer, including those who have suffered a heart attack or stroke. An analysis of several thousand participants who had experienced a heart attack or stroke found that dog owners across the board had lower mortality rates and longer lives. Dog breeders also had "better survival after a major cardiovascular event," although the study did not identify a direct cause and effect. It is possible that this is due to regular physical activity while walking dogs and a decrease in depression from not feeling completely alone. ... >>

20 new moons of Saturn discovered 09.10.2019

The Center for Minor Planets of the International Astronomical Union reported that the number of known satellites of Saturn increased by twenty at once. Now there are 82 of them, thanks to which, in terms of the total number of satellites, Saturn is ahead of the previous record holder - Jupiter, around which 79 moons circle. New space objects were discovered by a team of astronomers led by Scott Sheppard from the Carnegie Institution (Washington, USA) using one of the world's largest telescopes "Subaru" (mirror diameter 8,2 m), located on top of the Mauna Kea volcano in Hawaii. All open satellites have a diameter of about five kilometers. Seventeen of them move around Saturn in the opposite direction of the planet's rotation around its axis (retrograde direction). The three remaining moons rotate in the same way as Saturn. Among the latter are the two closest satellites to the planet, which take about two years to travel around Saturn. The rest of the moons have an orbital period of more than three years. One of the new retrograde ... >>

Liquid crystal current transmission cable 08.10.2019

Researchers from the Institute of Organic Chemistry at the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz (JGU, Germany) have synthesized new liquid crystals that can serve as a material for a liquid crystal "cable" and provide targeted transmission of electricity in electronic components. Liquid crystals are a phase state of a substance that occupies an intermediate position between the solid and liquid states. In a liquid, the molecules "float" randomly, and in liquid crystals they are arranged in a certain order, as in ordinary crystal lattices, but the material still remains liquid. Such crystals are used in TV screens, smartphones and calculators. Researchers from the Institute of Organic Chemistry at the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz have found another use for this liquid crystal substance - the transmission of current. "If you slowly cool our liquid crystal materials, the molecules will line up in a process of self-assembly, forming ... >>

Liquid metal that autonomously changes its structure 08.10.2019

American scientists have developed liquid-metal systems for electronics that can be bent, folded and stretched - these are the main directions of research in the field of next-generation military devices. Conductive materials change their properties when stretched or bent. Generally, electrical conductivity decreases and resistance increases with stretch. A material recently developed by scientists at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) called "Polymerized Liquid Metal Networks" does just the opposite. These liquid metal networks can be stretched up to 700% and respond autonomously to this stress to keep the resistance between the two states nearly the same and still return to their original state. This is all because of the self-organizing nanostructure in the material, which performs these actions automatically. "This stretch response is the exact opposite of what you expect ... >>

Tea bags are dangerous to humans 07.10.2019

Ditching paper tea bags in favor of plastic ones can have negative consequences for the human body. Natalie Tufenkji, professor of chemical engineering at McGill University, came to this conclusion based on the results of the study. After studying four samples of tea sold in plastic bags, the researchers found that when plastic is heated in hot water during the brewing process, about 11,6 billion microplastic and 3,1 billion nanoplastic particles are created. These figures are thousands of times higher than the presence of plastic pollution in the environment, tap and bottled water, and some foods. The effect of this plastic on water fleas, which are model organisms often used in environmental studies, has been shown to be negative. Despite the fact that the microorganisms did not die, they showed anatomical and behavioral abnormalities. The first author of the study, graduate student Laura Hernandez, emphasized that ... >>

Artificial blood 07.10.2019

A team of scientists from the National Defense College of Medicine has developed an artificial blood that does not cause an allergic reaction. Blood is suitable for transfusion to any person, regardless of the carrier of which blood group he is. The first experiments were carried out on rabbits that needed an urgent transfusion. As a result, the technology saved the lives of six out of ten rabbits. The other group received regular blood transfusions. The study showed the same result. When transfusing artificial blood, doctors did not register any side effects. Currently, blood transfusions of the same group and Rh factor are predominantly performed. Often in clinics there is a shortage of donor blood, which leads to the death of the patient. If introduced into medical practice, the discovery of Japanese scientists can save the lives of many people with huge blood loss. ... >>

Panoramic camera GoPro Max 360 06.10.2019

GoPro has unveiled a new flagship panoramic camera line. The GoPro Max 360 replaces the Fusion. GoPro Max 360 received a color touch screen instead of the previous monochrome, which displayed technical indicators. Live preview is now supported. Instead of 4 microphones, there were 6, the resulting sound became "more voluminous". GoPro Max with a 16,6MP sensor shoots 5,6K spherical images at 30fps. Viewing angles are adjustable. The camera adapts the picture in 360 for viewing on smartphones in 16:9 and 4:3 for Instagram. You can shoot slow motion video in two Slow mo modes. In the mobile application, the spherical notation can be converted to the traditional format. Supports image stabilization Coconuts Hyper smooth, including spherical mode. The price of the novelty is $499. ... >>

Scientists Prove Nietzsche Right 06.10.2019

"Everything that does not kill me makes me stronger," is the statement of the German philosopher, often repeated now to the point and not very much, modern scientists have tried to verify. The subject of the study was the impact of early career failures of scientists on their subsequent scientific biography. The researchers analyzed data from scientists who applied for R01 grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) early in their careers. This was between 1990 and 2005. After reviewing the applications, the NIH made a decision to grant or deny the grant. To make a decision in this case, a formalized procedure is used, which provides for the evaluation of the activities and plans of the applicant in points. The grant is received by those who scored the sum of points above the passing. The authors were interested in two groups of scientists: those who received a score a little higher than the passing one and, accordingly, received a grant, and those who were a little short of the threshold. This approach made it possible to assume that the scientific level ... >>

Fire-fighting eco-gel 05.10.2019

Forest fires are an important part of many ecosystems. But the centuries during which people struggle with them, coupled with hot weather, lead to more and more severe fires, which cannot be extinguished for months. There are two solutions here: either let forests burn on a small scale but regularly to prevent further larger events, or develop a way to protect plants from fire. The second option seems to be the best, since not only forest animals suffer from fires, but also people living in villages and cities. Forest burning also reduces the amount of oxygen sent into the atmosphere and increases the levels of carbon dioxide, which contributes to warming. To fight active fires, emergency services use extinguishing agents such as water-absorbing gels and superabsorbent polymers, such as those found in diapers. Today, ammonium phosphate and its derivatives are most actively used in such gels. However, compositions based on it lose their effectiveness. ... >>

Huawei is already working on 6G connectivity 05.10.2019

Now the process of active implementation of 5G communications is just beginning, but the telecommunications giants are already working on next-generation communications. In particular, Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei said that his company is already conducting research in the field of 6G. He noted that Huawei is working on 5G and 6G standards in parallel. However, "6G development" is still at an "early stage" and there is still a "long way to go" before the standard becomes commercially available. According to him, more than 10 years may pass before the full use of this technology. So far, 5G is seen as the next generation of telecommunications. The data rates that this communication standard offers will be the basis for self-driving cars and the critical control of remote devices such as heavy equipment. At the moment, only a few countries have begun the implementation of 5G communications, such as the UK and South Korea. The head of Huawei said that ... >>

Snoring damages the heart 04.10.2019

Snoring can indicate obstructive sleep apnea - this is the name for short-term pauses in breathing that occur during sleep and cause the brain to wake up periodically for a moment. During sleep, the muscles of the pharynx, like the muscles of the whole body, relax. Soft tissues, closing, block the airways, the level of carbon dioxide in the blood begins to rise. Special receptors sense this and send a signal to the brain to wake up. After waking up for a short time, the person begins to breathe properly again, the level of oxygen in the blood rises, and sleep returns. Not every snoring, even very loud, necessarily indicates apnea, but still this is an occasion to check yourself for respiratory distress. It's not just that we don't get enough sleep because of sleep apnea. It is authentically known that because of it the probability of cardiovascular diseases increases; sleep apnea may be a major cause of secondary hypertension; sleep apnea can cause heart rhythm disturbances, increasing the likelihood of a stroke. obstructive ... >>

biodegradable lettuce containers 04.10.2019

Feltwood, a Spanish company that converts crop residues into biodegradable industrial materials, has developed lettuce containers. According to the company's founder and CEO, Arancia Yáñez, parts of lettuce or artichoke lettuce that are not fit for food, as well as other types of plant waste, go through an industrial process to produce new materials. The food and agricultural system produces a large amount of plant waste, which is costly to process and requires management efforts. However, this waste can also lead to new opportunities. The company's technology is based on two differentiated processes: first, plant waste is collected and converted into Feltwood raw materials. It is then molded to produce products that are 100% biodegradable, recyclable and even compostable. Feltwood has three materials with different characteristics for four specific markets. All ... >>

500 megapixel face control camera 03.10.2019

China is already actively using facial recognition technology to identify criminals, monitor students, and even buy train tickets for citizens. Now the authorities want to connect a new 500-megapixel camera to the video surveillance system, capable of "capturing thousands of faces in great detail, generating data in the cloud and finding a specific target in seconds." The AI-powered cloud camera system was developed in collaboration with Shanghai Fudan University and the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The "Super Camera" is five times better than the human eye, and can capture panoramic photos with detailed images of every face, making it suitable for use in crowded places. In addition, the device meets the principles of national defense, military and public security, so it can be used at borders, military bases and satellite launch bases. Recognition technology ... >>

Lithium batteries Fanso for use in hazardous areas 03.10.2019

There is a class of stand-alone devices in industry, such as telemetry, that are designed to operate in explosive areas or environments. Such devices are subject to special requirements for intrinsic safety and explosion protection. These requirements also impose restrictions on the energy source used in such a device, which must comply with the ATEX directive and the requirements of EN 60079-0:2012 + A11:2013 and EN 60079-11:2012 standards (for maximum case heating temperature, for voltage, short circuit current closures, etc.). Fanso offers a range of lithium thionyl chloride batteries that comply with these regulations. These are batteries that have a bobbin design and are designed to work with small currents, but for a very long time. This type of batteries is characterized by excellent storage life (up to 10 years) and maximum specific capacity. Having the manufacturer Fanso ATEX certified (since February 2018) will help developers to choose the right ... >>

test tube beef 02.10.2019

It seems that the future has already arrived, at least in individual countries. Israeli startup Aleph Farms managed to grow beef in a test tube, for which you can not only rejoice. A steak made from animal meat produced in a laboratory without killing animals, first hit the table and was appreciated by gourmets. The Israeli test tube steak created by Aleph Farms is a real food revolution. Prior to this, scientists presented artificial meat in 2013. It was minced meat from synthesized protein, from which a hamburger was prepared. A simple fast food dish with an innovative cutlet, given the costs of research and production, was estimated by experts at several hundred thousand dollars. Of course, there was no talk of any mass production, and the unique food simply became proof that meat can be obtained without killing animals. True, the product created in 2013 could be called meat with a huge stretch. Israeli startup went the other way and abandoned the synthesis ... >>

2000 atoms in two places at the same time 02.10.2019

A team of scientists from the University of Vienna and the University of Basel has tested the principle of quantum superposition on the largest scale in the history of science. Huge complex molecules, consisting of two thousand atoms, were placed in a state of superposition, while being in two places at the same time, according to the bizarre laws of quantum mechanics. This achievement is a weighty confirmation of the manifestation of superposition, which is the "heart" of all quantum technologies, which, in turn, serves as a serious limitation for the further development of many alternative theories. We remind our readers that the principle of superposition is one of the main "pillars" of quantum mechanics, which is a consequence of one of the fundamental equations, the Schrödinger equation. This equation describes quantum particles by their wave functions, which are very similar to the functions that describe concentric waves on the surface of water. However, unlike waves on the surface ... >>

Explosives will improve the safety of electric cars 01.10.2019

Bosch has developed a new system that is designed to reduce the risk of electric vehicle battery fire and electric shock to people in the event of an accident. Many potential buyers of vehicles with an electric propulsion system have expressed concern that in the event of an accident, metal parts of the car body could be energized. And this can become an obstacle in the way of saving people. In addition, in such a situation, the risk of fire increases. Bosch proposes to solve the problem by using small explosive packs. Such charges in the event of a traffic accident will instantly cut off entire sections of cables going to the battery pack. As a result, the car will be completely de-energized. Explosive packages can be activated by signals from various on-board sensors - for example, from airbag sensors. The CG912 microchip, which is out of ... >>

Werewolf Robot Goes to Titan 01.10.2019

The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration is developing a multifunctional robot that will be sent to Jupiter's moon Titan for research. NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab talked about the development process of the latest Shapeshirter werewolf robot. It will consist of several robots that will be able to ride on the surface of Titan, swim in methane and ethane lakes, soar over hills and, if necessary, assemble into one. Scientists specify that it is the presence of lakes of methane and ethane on Jupiter’s satellite that is of particular interest, since a similar phenomenon has not been recorded on other planets or satellites, and on Earth they are found only in a gaseous state. NASA is conducting the first tests of the robot, despite the fact that development is still at an early stage. Scientists are sure that the new generation of mechanical assistant will become a universal soldier and will help to thoroughly study Titan with all its features. Per ... >>

The crowd has a collective mind 30.09.2019

This conclusion was reached by a group of American ichthyologists who studied the reaction of North American schooling fish to frightening stimuli. It turned out that this depends not so much on the sensitivity of individual individuals, but on the configuration of the pack as a whole. The object of study in this case was the golden notemigonus (Notemigonus crysoleucas) - a freshwater fish widespread in the waters of North America, vaguely resembling our roach, but noticeably larger - up to 30 cm in length. Notemigonuses stay in packs and, as it should be herbivores, they are afraid of predators. Noticing those nearby, the fish try to move away as far as possible. Scientists imitated being a predator nearby by introducing a drug called schreckstoff into the water - a mixture of substances released from the skin of a fish when it is damaged. For other fish, this is a sure sign that a predator is somewhere nearby, having just eaten someone, and probably looking for the next prey. It turned out that the reaction rate of the flock ... >>

Alibaba AI Processor 30.09.2019

The Chinese company Alibaba Group Holdings introduced its own Hanguang 800 processor. This is a specialized solution for machine learning tasks. It is already being used by Alibaba to search, automatically translate and make personalized recommendations on the e-commerce giant's websites. The chip was developed by DAMO Academy, a research institute set up by Alibaba in late 2017, and T-Head, the company's semiconductor division. Alibaba has no plans to sell the chip as a standalone commercial product anytime soon, a company spokesperson said. American tech giants like Alphabet and Facebook are also developing their own processors to improve the AI ​​performance of their data centers. Alibaba is the undisputed leader among cloud service providers in China, occupying 47% of this market. ... >>

Speedy robot fish 29.09.2019

Mechanical engineers at the University of Virginia (UVA), along with biologists at Harvard University, have created the first robotic fish, Tunabot, which mimics the speed and movement of a live yellowfin tuna. The development will help in the future to create a new generation of fast underwater vehicles. Yellowfin tuna belongs to the species of ray-finned fish from the mackerel family of the perch-like order. The maximum length of his body can reach almost 240 centimeters, and weight - 200 kilograms. Fleeing from a predator, this fish can reach speeds of up to 70-75 kilometers per hour. Because of its speed, tuna is popular among sport anglers: not everyone can catch this fish. Researchers have tried to create an underwater robot that can move at the same speed as a yellowfin tuna. Their Tunabot is much smaller than a real tuna - only 25,5 centimeters in length. However, it can reach a maximum tail beat frequency of 15 hertz, which corresponds to a swimming speed of one meter per second. ... >>

Quantum computer for the poor 29.09.2019

Researchers at Tohoku and Purdue Universities have developed an unconventional computational scheme based on thermal fluctuations and demonstrated that the concept works for probabilistic computing. Probabilistic calculations - calculations using probability bits, or p-bits, the state of which fluctuates between "0" and "1" in time. One can draw an analogy with quantum computing, which uses a superposition of quantum bits or q-bits that take on the values ​​"0" and "1" at the same time (more precisely, capable of being in their superposition). In the elementary probabilistic computer created by the researchers, based on the concepts of asynchronous neural networks, p-bits were implemented in a stochastic magnetic tunnel junction (s-MTJ). For the demonstration, integer factorization was chosen as a good example of optimization problems. Quantum computing is expected to help solve complex problems, including optimization, that are classical ... >>

Protein hydrogel for drug delivery 28.09.2019

A team of scientists from the Tandon School of Engineering at New York University (USA) has created the first biocompatible protein-based drug delivery system that is so durable that it can live in the body for more than two weeks and is able to provide a sustained release of drugs. This hydrogel is an important step for the future of drug delivery, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Hydrogels are three-dimensional polymeric networks that turn from solution to gel in response to physical or chemical influences, such as temperature or an acidic environment. In these polymer matrices, like in a capsule, loads such as small molecules can be placed. The new hydrogel consists of one protein domain (section of the protein polypeptide chain) and passes from solution to gel at low temperatures. It exhibits many of the same properties as a synthetic hydrogel. Its main advantage is biocompatibility, so it is best used in biomedicine. In my experiment ... >>

New green energy system 28.09.2019

Researchers from the Institute of Microbiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have created a new biophotovoltaic (BPV) system by combining two species of bacteria. This system can work stably for more than 40 days, setting a new BPV durability record. Biophotovoltaics (BPV) is a new green energy technology that uses biological photosynthetic materials (mostly live photosynthetic microorganisms) to convert solar energy into electricity. BPV is more environmentally friendly and potentially more cost effective than semiconductor photovoltaic (PV) systems, given the toxicity of photovoltaic materials. However, the power density of modern BPV systems remains generally low: photosynthetic microorganisms have a weak ability to transfer electrons outside cells. To solve this problem, the researchers created a microbial community of two types of bacteria. This microbial "consortium" consists of photosynthetic cyanobacteria and e ... >>

Radiation vs arrhythmia 27.09.2019

Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis found that high doses of radiation literally help patients with ventricular tachycardia survive. With ventricular tachycardia, the heart ventricles begin to beat very quickly and without connection with the atria - the overall heart rate breaks up, and as a result, the heart simply cannot pump blood efficiently, because this requires the coordinated work of all heart chambers. Ventricular tachycardia easily leads to death, and to prevent this from happening, patients are usually implanted with defibrillators that bring the ventricles to life with an electrical discharge - but the tachycardia attacks themselves do not disappear from this. But there is also a way to stop tachycardia altogether - when a catheter is inserted into the heart to intentionally damage the part of the heart muscle that generates seizures. After damage, the heart muscle begins to heal, and a small scar forms in it. In the "scarred" heart, irregular accelerated impulses ... >>

Honda is phasing out diesel cars 27.09.2019

Japanese automaker Honda has announced that it is going to completely stop selling diesel versions of its cars in Europe as early as 2021. The announcement comes just months after the company announced plans to switch the European market to exclusively hybrid and electric models by 2025. Initially, Honda planned to increase the share of electric vehicles and hybrids in the structure of its European sales to 66% by 2025. However, the EU's negative attitude towards dieselgate has markedly reduced the popularity of "dirty" cars and increased the popularity of greener cars accordingly. Also, the situation was influenced by new, more stringent emission standards, which force manufacturers to underestimate the power and dynamics of internal combustion engines in order to meet the standards. Apparently, with the help of the statement about the imminent end of diesel engines, Honda decided to abstract from the automakers involved in the "dieselgate". The company already ... >>

8K Ultra HD TV standard 26.09.2019

The TV industry has gone one step further to approve the 8K TV specification, which has not been well defined in recent years and has been interpreted differently on different TVs. From now on, the 8K Ultra HD (UHD) format is officially approved, certified, the exact specification is written for it and the logo is approved. The Consumer Technology Association has released the official definition of displays for 8K TVs. Any model that complies with the new standard must have a panel with a resolution of at least 7680 x 4320 pixels, support 24, 30 and 60 frames per second, reproduce 10-bit color, support key HDR features, and use HDCP 2.2 level content protection. The CTA requires Ultra HD TVs to be able to upscale SD, HD, and 4K video to 8K (upscaling). This is to ensure that the video doesn't blur or distort in any way in the absence of native 8K content. Inclusion in the certificate program ... >>

Texas Instruments Wireless Ultrasonic Gas Leak Detector 26.09.2019

Texas Instruments presented the development of an ultra-low consumption, self-powered ultrasonic gas leak sensor system with wireless communication with a base station. This reference design is a low power wireless sensor that detects gas leakage by analyzing the ultrasonic spectrum for specific signatures. The system is designed to operate on a single non-rechargeable miniature lithium battery and communicate wirelessly with the base station. This eliminates the need for a wired connection and simplifies installation of the device. The development also uses an ultra-low-power battery level sensor. It is necessary to accurately predict its condition and provide advance notice of the impending end of life for its scheduled replacement. Features: accurate monitoring of the state of the lithium battery, which allows to extend the life of the device and replace the battery in advance; use ... >>

The biological clock regulates the functioning of the immune system 25.09.2019

Scientists at the US National Academy of Sciences have found that the biological clock affects the effectiveness of the immune response. Indeed, CD8 T cells, which are essential for fighting infections and cancer, function very differently depending on the time of day. The study was conducted by a medical team led by Nicholas Chermakian, PhD from the Douglas Research Center, and Natalie Labreque, PhD from the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center. We know that circadian rhythms are generated by "clock genes" that affect most organs and cells, including the immune system. Accordingly, circadian rhythms are important for various aspects of physiology, including sleep, nutrition, hormonal activity, and body temperature. These daily fluctuations help the body adapt to cyclical environmental changes such as seasons, day and night. In earlier studies, the team demonstrated ... >>

KATRIN helped weigh the neutrinos 25.09.2019

Neutrinos can be attributed to the strangest subatomic particles. Due to the very small mass and the absence of an electric charge, neutrinos practically do not interact with ordinary matter, they can absolutely freely penetrate accumulations of matter, such as planets and even stars. Scientists have been trying to figure out the value of the neutrino mass for several decades using various highly sensitive sensors, and recently the sensor of the Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino (KATRIN) experiment in Germany, which has been under development for almost two decades, has produced the first results. Having knowledge of the neutrino mass is important for understanding why neutrinos interact with ordinary matter only through the forces of weak nuclear interactions. In addition, from the point of view of quantum mechanics, each type of neutrino consists of a combination of three probabilistic "mass states". However, due to the basic oddity of quantum mechanics, one can only measure the "mass state" or establish ... >>

Biomaterial will replace plastic 24.09.2019

A new bio-based material could replace plastic in the future. This was stated by Finnish scientists from Aalto University and the VTT Research Center. The durable material was obtained by combining the fibers of wood pulp and silk protein, found in the threads of the cobweb. This material does not harm the environment at all. According to experts, the new material can be used in biocomposites. In addition, it can be used in medicine and the textile industry. ... >>

Intoxication without alcohol 24.09.2019

A person can get drunk without even drinking alcohol. Such unusual results of the study were obtained by Japanese scientists. It turned out that strains of the intestinal bacterium Klebsiella pneumonia are the main cause of intoxication without alcohol. According to scientists, it is they who can increase the level of alcohol in a person's blood above the norm. As a result, even those who do not drink alcohol at all can feel drunk. "We were surprised that bacteria could produce so much alcohol," said study author Jing Yuan. It is noted that in Beijing there was an unusual case with a man who does not drink alcohol at all, but his liver was inflamed, like an inveterate alcoholic. It turned out that the man had the so-called "internal brewery syndrome" or, as it is also called, "auto-fermentation syndrome." They arise just because of the work of bacteria of this type, the number of which in the body of a Beijinger exceeded the norm by 900 times. ... >>

Logitech G604 Lightspeed Gaming Mouse 23.09.2019

Logitech has unveiled the Logitech G604 Lightspeed Wireless Mouse under the Logitech G brand used for gaming peripherals. According to the manufacturer, this is "a new generation wireless mouse with amazing battery life, designed for gamers who love to play, but also need a versatile tool to solve various tasks." The G604 Lightspeed features simultaneous support for Logitech's exclusive G Lightspeed Wireless technology and standard Bluetooth connectivity. You can switch between them with the click of a button. This, in particular, allows you to use one mouse with two systems. The margin of autonomy when using Lightspeed Wireless in games reaches 240 hours, and when using Bluetooth - five and a half months. The power source is one AA cell. The mouse has 15 programmable controls, including a dual-mode super-fast scroll wheel and ... >>

The plastic age has begun 23.09.2019

Since 1945, our planet began to "soak" with plastic elements, the number of which has recently increased significantly. According to some scientists, today we can already say that the age of plastic has begun. Experts came to such conclusions after they began to detect plastic at a considerable depth. The analysis was carried out by specialists from the Institute of Oceanography. Scripps at the University of California San Diego. Scientists have found bottom plastic deposits off the coast of California. The first signs of contamination generally date back to 1830. The main part of the elements was part of synthetic clothing. It follows that plastic can easily enter the ocean through sewage. Even today, creatures living on the bottom of the ocean, such as corals, mussels, oysters, etc., are suffering. Pollution levels double every fifteen years. In 2010, for example, per 100 sq. cm ocean floor accounted for 40 particles of plastic. Today, this figure is at least one and a half times higher. ... >>

Critical vulnerability of SIM-cards of any operator 22.09.2019

Cybersecurity experts have found a way to gain access to devices equipped with a SIM card - not only smartphones, but also smart gadgets. The vulnerability, dubbed SimJacker, is found in the SIMalliance Toolbox Browser (S@T Browser) software, which is used in both SIM cards and eSIMs as part of the SIM Tool Kit (STK). SimJacker has been known to hackers for a long time and they have been using it for the past years, according to The Hacker News. With the help of messages sent to the device, you can activate a number of S@T Browser commands that allow you to find out: the IMEI of the gadget, its location, device language, battery level, send messages and make calls, download malware by visiting pages in the browser and do much more other. The problem in detecting SimJacker is that antiviruses do not see it - this is due to the fact that the vulnerability uses some of the commands that are necessary for the functioning of the SIM card and therefore are ... >>

Paracetamol during pregnancy affects children's behavior 22.09.2019

The researchers investigated whether taking paracetamol in mid-pregnancy had an impact on the behavior of children aged 6 months to 11 years, as well as their memory and IQ before the age of 17 years. Paracetamol is commonly used to relieve pain during pregnancy and is recommended by the UK National Health Service. Scientists examined 14 children. 000 percent of mothers said they had taken paracetamol "sometimes" or more during the previous three months during their seventh month of pregnancy. The researchers looked at test scores for childhood memory, IQ, and preschool development, as well as measures of temperament and behavior. They found an association between paracetamol use and problems with hyperactivity and attention, as well as other complex behaviors in young children that were not affected by the reasons for taking the medication or social factors. However, by the time the children reached the end of elementary school, there were no such manifestations. The boys turned out to be ... >>

The world is facing a shortage of helium 21.09.2019

If from time to time you happen to buy helium-filled balloons for children's birthdays, you probably noticed that recently they have almost doubled in price. And the point here is not in the growth of the high cost of life and not in balloons, but in helium. There is a shortage of this inert gas in the world, and today many scientists believe that its use to fill balloons and advertising airships is an unaffordable luxury. Let's start in order. Helium is an inert gas that has no color, no taste, no smell, and is much lighter than air, which makes it suitable for filling balloons. Helium does not linger in the earth's atmosphere and does not have its own deposits - it is extracted either as a by-product from natural gas, or is extracted from the extraction of other minerals. Until recently, helium was mined mainly at three large sites: one in Qatar and two in the USA (in Wyoming and Texas). These three sources ... >>

Nanomaterial of molecules twisted simultaneously in opposite directions 21.09.2019

Many biomolecules have such a property as chirality: two molecules with exactly the same structure are mirror images of each other. The most striking example of chirality is our hands: the left mirrors the right and vice versa. Another example that we see in nature is the spiral of a shell, which can be twisted to the right or to the left. "Mirror" molecules with the same structure can have completely different properties. Conventionally, a molecule twisted in one direction smells like lemons, and when it rotates in the other direction, it smells like oranges. The detection of these distortions is especially important in some industries such as pharmaceuticals, perfumes, food additives and pesticides. Recently, a new class of nanomaterials, plasmonic nanomaterials, has been developed that can help distinguish between the chirality of molecules. These nanomaterials enhance the chiral properties of molecules when exposed to light. They usually consist of tiny twisted metal ... >>

Global warming will provoke a record number of migrants 20.09.2019

Soon a fifth of the world's population will not be able to stay in their countries because of the unbearable heat. Stanford University researchers have determined that over the next thirty years, 1,5 billion people will become forced migrants due to climate change - residents of the equatorial territories simply will not be able to live in the created conditions. At the same time, the economic gap between the poor and the rich will grow by 25%, as well as conflicts and instability in the world. In the modern world, there is no such thing as climate settlers. Therefore, no country in the world is obliged to accept such migrants, in accordance with the UN international convention. People who move because of a well-founded fear of being persecuted because of their race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion are eligible for refugee status. The situation in the world is very critical - the last year has shown that if the waste is ... >>

A model for predicting the decay of vitamins in space 20.09.2019

A team of nutrition scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has developed a groundbreaking, user-friendly mathematical model for NASA that should ensure that astronauts' food stays nutrient-rich during long space missions. The new study gives NASA a time-saving opportunity to predict the degradation of spaceflight vitamins over time and to more accurately and efficiently plan resupply. The study was funded by a $982 NASA grant. "There was no information in the literature to directly answer the questions and concerns that NASA had. We used real-time data in our study to train a mathematical model and determine how predictive and robust the model would be," said study author Khan Xiao, professor and scientist at Clydesdale Scholar of Food Science. Xiao and his colleagues showed for the first time how thiamine (vitamin B685) ... >>

Children love revenge. 19.09.2019

It is natural for us to repay good for good and return evil for evil - or, if we do not, then at least we know that this is the norm of social life. And although personal revenge and vindictiveness in general are not considered very plausible things, revenge is nevertheless treated with understanding. (Fortunately, world culture is full of examples when a noble hero, with whom it is easy for the reader/viewer to associate, takes revenge on someone for something, and we sympathize with him in every possible way.) But how do ideas develop in a person that one should be grateful for good and what should be punished for evil - if necessary, then punished personally? Researchers at Boston University and the University of California, Irvine set up a psychological experiment with 330 children aged 4 to 8 who were asked to play a computer game with four other players. The child saw his partners in the form of avatars on the monitor screen, which were actually controlled by the experimenters. First, according to the rules of the game ... >>

Precision temperature sensors TE Connectivity G-NIMO-00x 19.09.2019

The new TE Connectivity precision temperature sensors operate in the range -40...125°C with a resolution of up to 0,01°C and an accuracy of +-0,2°C. G-NIMO-00x sensors differ in the type of output interface - I2C (G-NIMO-003/TSYS02D), PWM (G-NIMO-004/TSYS02P) or SDM (G-NIMO-005/TSYS2S). The temperature measurement time is 43 ms. The supply voltage range of the sensors is from 1,5 to 3,6 V. In active mode, the consumption of the sensor is 420 µA, in sleep mode 140 nA. With the output of measurements once per second, the average current consumption will be only 18 μA. The sensors are available in a miniature 3 x 3 mm QFN package. The digital sensor G-NIMO-003/TSYS02D provides measurements over the I2C bus with data protection using the CRC-8 checksum. The G-NIMO-004/TSYS02P sensor has an analog output type in the form of a PWM signal. Version G-NIMO-005/TSYS2S is available with sigma-delta modulation (SDM) interface - this is a bit stream of pulses where the temperature is proportional to the plot ... >>

Phosphate fertilizers will last only 10 years 18.09.2019

Since all plants need phosphate fertilizers, their supply is necessary. In turn, their shortage will create a tense situation around the world and become a serious problem for importing countries. For example, Europe, India and Australia are completely dependent on phosphate imports. According to the latest estimates of growing demand and shrinking supply, scientists predict that the moment of complete depletion of the resource will come in less than ten years. Martin Blackwell, an agricultural expert at Rothamsted Research, said that if current levels of phosphate fertilizer use are not reduced soon, the US, China and India will run out of their stocks before the next generation. To increase yields, farmers add large amounts of phosphate fertilizers. However, the absorption capacity of plants is very low. Consequently, most of the fertilizer remains as a residue in water bodies. Possible solutions to the problem could be the disposal of phosphates from wastewater ... >>

Flying Motorcycle Speeder 18.09.2019

The Japanese company ALI Technologies has developed the Speeder, an aircraft similar to a jet ski. The body of the vehicle is made of carbon fiber to reduce weight. There are two motors at the front and rear of the craft, which use propellers to create lift. Small screws on the sides are used to move forward and turn. Speeder performs a vertical takeoff and moves at a height of several tens of centimeters above the ground. Landing is also performed vertically. Serial production of flying motorcycles is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2021. It is assumed that the Speeder will be used by rescuers during natural disasters, in deserts, swampy areas and at sea. ... >>

Quality video streaming in 8K resolution 17.09.2019

The Israeli company Beamr, which develops video content encoding software technologies, announced an important achievement: it managed to build a system that encodes video in 8K resolution (7680 x 4320) to HEVC format (H.265) in real time. This became possible thanks to a server based on the new high-performance AMD EPYC 7742 processor from the Rome family. The server used was based on a single 64-core 7nm EPYC 7742 processor with Zen 2 architecture, which allowed real-time encoding of an 8K video stream at 79 frames per second with a 10-bit color representation required for HDR. But this achievement was made possible not only thanks to high-performance equipment. Beamr 5's H.265 encoding software, developed by Beamr, has also contributed to the success. It has received special optimizations to make full use of all 128 EPYC 7742 streams, which, according to ... >>

Mushrooms can save humanity 17.09.2019

If a murderous asteroid falls on Earth, a volcanic apocalypse or a nuclear holocaust occurs, mushrooms can save humanity from complete extinction. Scientologist Bryan Walsh has proposed strategies that can support people in the aftermath of a global catastrophe. Walsh suggests that since mushrooms, rats and some insects can live without sunlight, people can start growing colonies of edible mushrooms on the remains of dead trees - and so feed themselves. About 66 million years ago, an asteroid hit Earth and crashed into the sea floor, creating an explosion 6500 times more powerful than the US nuclear bomb dropped on Hiroshima. The impact sent atmospheric clouds and debris into the atmosphere, blocking out sunlight and heat for about two years. Photosynthesis in plants stopped, the surviving dinosaurs died of starvation. But fossil records show that mushrooms flourished all these years. ... >>

UCC28780 Zero Voltage Switching Flyback Controller 16.09.2019

A new PWM controller for building a flyback converter UCC28780 was released by Texas Instruments. The microcircuit has "active latch" voltage algorithms. "Active latch" essentially allows the primary side snubber circuit to use a FET instead of a diode. Due to this, it was possible to increase the efficiency of the flyback converter by several percent. Technical parameters: Partial or continuous operation in zero-voltage switching mode; Ability to work with both Si- and GaN-devices; Programmable operating frequency up to 1,0 MHz; Adjustable overpower protection thresholds; Ability to connect NTC. Typical applications: Compact wide input AC/DC converters; consumer electronics; USB power delivery. ... >>

Ink that changes colors 16.09.2019

The color of any item, which is logical, is selected and set during its production. And if we need to change the color, then we just need to take the paint and manually repaint what we need. However, American engineers from MIT have developed a system that allows objects to be repainted many times by irradiation with light waves. They created a special mixture that can be applied to an object, and then, using a series of manipulations, set the desired color to the object. Moreover, the color can be easily changed in the future. For quite a long time there have been so-called photochromic materials that change their color under the influence of light irradiation. The skin of chameleons is similarly arranged. However, if chameleons can retain their color for a long time due to physiological characteristics, then photochromic materials retain their changed state only when exposed to radiation. That is, as soon as they “stop shining” on the photochromic material, the color of the object will return to its original state. ... >>

Flexible Phanteks Neon LED strips 15.09.2019

The Phanteks range has been expanded with Neon LED strips that support digital control (digital-RGB). Three novelties are offered: M1 - one tape 1 m long; M5 - one tape 55 cm long; Combo - a set of two 40 cm long tapes with an adapter and an extension cable. The presence of special fasteners in the kit and the flexibility of the tapes allow them to bend around the contours of fans, motherboards and other components. The manufacturer also notes the uniform dispersion of light along the tape. M1 tape is $22, M5 is $15, Combo kit is $20. Sales start this month. ... >>

The existence of a fifth force has not been confirmed 15.09.2019

The fact that the universe is constantly expanding its boundaries has been known to scientists for a long time, but data from the Hubble space telescope, obtained back in the 1990s, indicate that the expansion of the universe is now happening much faster than in the distant past. This fact made a lot of noise at the time, forcing scientists to revise and rebuild all models of the universe. Calculations of the updated models suggested to physicists about the existence of some unknown energy in space, which is precisely responsible for accelerating the expansion of the Universe. This energy was called "dark energy" and now, several decades later, we have only a vague idea of ​​its true nature. One of the possible explanations for the phenomenon of dark energy is the assumption that this energy is some fifth fundamental force acting on matter along with the forces of gravity, electromagnetism, strong and weak nuclear interactions. And recently a group of researchers from the Imperial College in Lohn ... >>

Microplastics make soil less fertile 14.09.2019

The negative impact of plastic waste on the ocean is already well known. New research shows that this pollutant can also make the soil significantly less fertile. Scientists from Anglia Ruskin University (UK) found that microplastics retard the growth of worms. Given the role of these animals in saturating the soil with nutrients, any interference with their activities can have a serious negative impact on entire ecosystems and hinder the growth of crops that humans feed on. Exposure to plastic, commonly found in bottles and bags, caused earthworms to lose 3,1% of their body weight over a 30-day period, according to a new study. During the same period, earthworms in plastic-free soil increased their mass by 5,1%. This is a concern because worms are "ecosystem engineers": they ingest dead organic matter, improve soil structure, promote drainage, and even prevent erosion. ... >>

Energy from the cold 14.09.2019

A team of scientists from Los Angeles and Stanford University have created a device that generates current by channeling the residual heat of the day into chilled air. Thus, according to the authors of the project themselves, their device can also use space cold to create a renewable energy source. "We believe that this technology will effectively complement the solar panels and allow energy to be produced even during those hours when access to sunlight is closed," says Aaswat Raman, one of the authors of the project. With all its merits, solar energy is, alas, not the solution to all energy problems of mankind. Even on Earth, people return home and begin to actively use electrical appliances already in the evening hours. Of course, the energy accumulated during the day can be stored - but it is much more economical and easier to supplement it with "night" production systems. Unlike many analogues, the new device works due to the thermoelectric effect. Using the material ... >>

Protection of robotic vehicle sensors from insects 13.09.2019

Cameras, various sensors and lidars are the "eyes" of robotic vehicles. The efficiency of the autopilot, and consequently, traffic safety, directly depends on their cleanliness. Ford has come up with a technology that will protect these sensors from insects, dust and dirt. In the past few years, Ford has begun to more seriously investigate the problem of cleaning contaminated sensors in robotic vehicles and look for an effective solution to the problem. It is noted that the company began by simulating the ingress of dirt and dust on autonomous transport systems. This allowed us to propose a number of curious means of protection. In particular, a system has been developed to protect the so-called "tiara" from dirt and insects - a special unit on the roof of the car containing a number of cameras, lidars and radars. To protect this module, an array of air ducts located next to the camera lenses is proposed. During the movement of the car, air flows form an air curtain around the "tiara" that prevents a collision on ... >>

Brain implants will change humanity 13.09.2019

Researchers from the Royal Society of London called for preparations for the spread of implants that interact directly with the brain and nervous system. Scientists believe that while such technologies remain in their infancy, but in a few decades they will be improved. The technology will reach millions of people. The neuroimplants that exist today are relatively simple - examples include hearing aids and stimulators for patients with Parkinson's disease. In the future, technology will reach more impressive heights. According to experts, by 2040 implants will allow the exchange of thoughts, will restore mobility after paralysis, as well as improve memory and speed up the learning process. However, new opportunities come with new risks. Expensive implants will lead to further stratification of society. In addition, devices connected to the brain can make thoughts and other intimate data public. Current data theft scandals ... >>

Exam - no hours 12.09.2019

The UK is considering a ban on wearing watches for school exams. This measure should stop attempts of fraud. An independent commission tasked with investigating exam abuse has concluded that it is too difficult to distinguish between regular and smart watches, and it is impractical to check every student's watch. A complete ban would be more appropriate in these circumstances. Noting a "very low level of abuse," the Independent Abuse Review Board is confident that "a total ban on all types of watches, as well as other Internet devices, eliminates any possibility for test-takers to gain unauthorized access to the Internet during exams." Some schools in the US have already introduced a similar ban. As for the UK, so far this is only a recommendation to the relevant department (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation or Ofqual), which oversees all schools in this country. Ofqual has taken note of the recommendation and plans to ... >>

Maxim MAX30208 and MAXM86161 medical sensors 12.09.2019

Wearable medical and fitness devices often measure vital signs such as body temperature and heart rate. When designing miniature devices, developers are limited by such factors as the low capacity of the disk battery and the small dimensions of the body of the wearable device. Maxim's two new medical sensors, the MAX30208 and MAXM86161, provide higher measurement accuracy and are ideal for continuous monitoring of vital signs such as body temperature, heart rate, and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2). The MAX30208 Digital Temperature Sensor provides clinically accurate temperature measurement (±0,1°C) and is able to quickly respond to changes in temperature. The device also meets stringent power and size requirements for miniature devices such as smartwatches and medical patch-style sensors. Compared to competing products, the instrument is very ... >>

Surface defrosting in a second 11.09.2019

A group of researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (USA) and the University of Kyushu (Japan) have developed a method for very fast and efficient removal of ice from surfaces, which consumes less than 1% of energy and copes with the task a hundred times faster than traditional defrosting methods. Instead of the usual defrosting, in which all the ice melts from top to bottom, starting from the top layer, scientists have developed a method in which ice melts ice "from the inside": at the junction of ice and the surface. So in the lower layer water is formed, on which the ice cap slides. The researchers decided to develop a new method of defrosting because current methods consume huge amounts of energy in refrigeration systems due to the need for periodic defrosting and the energy systems of buildings. According to the authors, the biggest source of inefficiency in conventional systems is that most of the energy used to process "antifreeze" goes to heat other system components rather than to heat. ... >>

Mini ion thruster tested in orbit 11.09.2019

The Chinese Academy of Sciences has successfully tested a miniature ion thruster in orbit that could extend the life of small satellites and prevent them from becoming space debris. An ion thruster is a type of electric rocket motor that generates thrust from ionized molecules accelerated to high speeds in an electric field. These engines use liquid metals (usually cesium, indium, and mercury) as propellants and are fuel efficient. According to Chinese engineers, their 300-gram ion thruster is the ideal propulsion system for small satellites, helping them maintain their desired orbital altitude for years to come. If the satellite is no longer needed, the ion drive can take it to a safe distance from active satellites, eliminating the risk of collision. More than 7600 tons of space debris have already accumulated in Earth orbit and in the vicinity. This is more than 750 thousand objects with a diameter of more than 1 s ... >>

Cows in cloud storage 10.09.2019

180 cows living on a farm in Somerset, in the south-west of England, unknowingly became participants in an experiment in the field of high technology. Sensors attached to the necks of animals in special collars collect data on the activity and physical condition of the animal, and then send them via a 5G channel to the cloud storage, where they are available to service personnel for viewing, analysis and taking the necessary measures. An algorithm in the software package analyzes the information, notifying farmers and veterinarians via a smartphone application when data appears that indicate the need for human intervention. The purpose of the development is to provide personnel with the ability to remotely monitor animals. Probably, the shepherd of such a herd will have to be called something else: something like "cow operator". "The availability of data on phones and other mobile devices makes it easy to use them quickly," explains Mark Gough, a shepherd on a British-run pilot farm. ... >>

HPP845 - digital and analog humidity sensors TE Connectivity 10.09.2019

The HPP845 series (HTU21D(F)/HTU20D(F)) are TE Connectivity's "plug and play" temperature and humidity combo sensors for OEM applications where reliable and accurate measurements are required. Each internal sensor is calibrated and tested individually. The microcircuit has a unique serial number that can be read by a special command. To improve the reliability of the transmitted data, the CRC-8 checksum functionality is supported. An additional membrane filter (optional) protects the sensors from dust and water ingress while maintaining a fast response time. This membrane provides protection in accordance with the IP67 standard. Digital sensors provide calibrated, linearized signals via an I?C interface. The resolution of digital humidity sensors can be changed on command (from 8/12 bits up to 12/14 bits for RH/T). The analog version of the sensor outputs a PWM signal with a base frequency of 120 Hz on the SDA line. The SCL pin is used as a data type switch input - humidity or temp. ... >>

The brain of left-handed people is already different in the womb 09.09.2019

An Oxford University study found that left-handed people show differences as early as in utero. In particular, their brains develop differently. Scientists have identified 4 genetic regions that can cause left-handedness, that is, make the left hand the main one for a person, and not the right, as is common in the vast majority. It turned out that these regions of the genes may also explain why left-handed people have more developed language skills. However, the study of left-handedness did not reveal the very genes that are responsible for this phenomenon, but scientists were able to narrow the search in the human genome to certain areas. In particular, they found that left-handedness may be a by-product of brain development in the womb. In addition, microtubules may be related to its formation - protein intracellular structures that are part of the cytoskeleton of cells or the internal structure that accounts for the bulk ... >>

Getting water even from desert air 09.09.2019

Despite the fact that advanced technologies serve humanity in the 1995st century, many populated regions on our planet still suffer from a shortage of drinking water. But this crisis can be resolved in the near future. Yagi, a chemist at the University of California at Berkeley, said he and his colleagues have created a solar-powered device that could provide water to millions of people. It is based on a porous crystalline material known as a metal-organic framework (MOF) that acts like a sponge: it sucks water vapor out of the air, even in the desert, and then releases it as liquid water. Yagi and his colleagues synthesized the first MOF in XNUMX, and since then chemists have designed tens of thousands of similar structures. Each is made up of metal atoms that act as hubs connected in a porous network by organic linkers designed to quickly hold the hubs and create openings to accommodate molecular "guests". FROM ... >>

Patriot Viper VP4100 SSDs 08.09.2019

Patriot has launched the VP4100, a fast SSD under the Viper brand, designed for use in gaming systems and powerful desktop computers. Products are made in M.2 2280 format: dimensions are 22 x 80 mm. A cooling radiator is provided. The drives use the PCIe 4.0 interface. The declared speed of sequential reading of information reaches 5000 MB / s, the sequential write speed is 4400 MB / s. IOPS (input/output operations per second) is up to 800k random reads and random writes. Viper VP4100 series solutions are compatible with third generation AMD Ryzen processors and X570 motherboards. The family includes models with a capacity of 1 TB and 2 TB. The price is $400 and $600 respectively. ... >>

The world's largest chip 08.09.2019

Xilinx, one of the leading manufacturers of programmable logic (FPGA) chips, broke its own record with the release of a new chip called Virtex Ultrascale+ VU19P. The die of this chip is manufactured using 16-nm technology and has the highest density of logical cells per unit area and I / O ports. A total of 9 million programmable logical cells and 2 input-output lines are located on the chip of the new chip, the functions of which are set by the user during programming. The FPGA monster provides a bandwidth of 1.5 Tbps over the DDR4 memory interface, and up to 4.5 Tbps over the bus, through which various types of wireless transceivers can connect to it. "In today's electronics, there is a great need for a means of emulating and prototyping chips of complete systems-on-a-chip (SoC) and application-specific chips (ASIC)" - says Mike Thompson (Mike Thompson), one of the leaders of Xilinx, - "Considering constantly ... >>

Panasonic Toughbook 55 rugged laptop 07.09.2019

Panasonic has simplified the flexible customization process for its rugged Toughbook series notebooks. The Toughbook 55 has a modular design that allows you to add or replace the system components you need. For example, if necessary, the user can not only replace and increase RAM, but also replace the keyboard, introduce additional ports, increase the performance of the graphics subsystem by installing a discrete graphics card, add a fingerprint scanner or a second drive. Moreover, all these operations can be done independently, without resorting to specialists. Plus, you can even hot-swap a second battery without shutting down the laptop, giving you up to 40 hours of battery life. This opportunity will be very useful for field workers. The novelty is equipped with an 5th generation Intel Core i7 or i8 processor and a touch display with a maximum brightness of 1000 nits. Configuration may include ... >>

Gaming OLED TVs from LG 07.09.2019

In recent years, gamers have become one of the most powerful engines of the electronics industry. So, for example, while the market for personal computers and laptops is regularly declining, their gaming options, on the contrary, fly like hot cakes. Not surprisingly, many manufacturers are now asking the question: "What else would be released specifically for gamers?". While some are churning out gaming smartphones, the Korean company LG decided to show originality and introduced special gaming TVs. A line of OLED models (model 65/55E9 and model 77/65/55C9) received support for Nvidia G-Sync technology. That is, if you connect a personal computer with an Nvidia video card to such TVs, you will receive automatic synchronization of the refresh rate of the graphics accelerator and the screen. The new game line includes models with a diagonal of 55 to 77 inches. All of them have a resolution of 4K and a maximum frame rate of 120 Hz, which is very pleasant for games. Lag for 1440p content is 6 milliseconds, and ... >>

Tyrannosaurus Air Conditioner 06.09.2019

Scientists from the United States said that in the skull of the tyrannosaurus rex there were two holes that served as a kind of "air conditioner". They were needed because the giant and active pangolin quickly overheated. Previously, it was thought that these holes contained muscle tissue, but now researchers have concluded that they were actually covered with a network of blood vessels. It is known that large animals need additional cooling mechanisms, since in the heat their body can quickly overheat. During the study, scientists used thermal imagers to observe alligators at a farm at the Florida Zoo. It turned out that in the alligator's skull there are holes filled with blood vessels. "The body temperature of an alligator depends on the environment. We noticed that when it got colder and the alligators were trying to warm up, the thermal cameras recorded large heat spots in the upper part of their skull, which indicate an increase in body temperature. However, as ... >>

Asus ROG gaming laptops with 300Hz refresh rate 06.09.2019

Asus-owned Republic of Gamers has introduced record-breaking 300Hz refresh rate displays to select Strix and Zephyrus gaming laptops. The first model with such parameters, Zephyrus S (GX701), will appear in October, followed by a number of gaming devices with the highest screen refresh rate. The goal of ROG engineers was not only to achieve record refresh rates, but also to make the gaming experience as smooth and responsive as possible. The high refresh rate of the screen allows you to increase the frame rate, which is especially important in dynamic games, where every fraction of a second can decide the outcome of the battle. With a high refresh rate, gameplay feels smoother, and a faster response time avoids blur when displaying fast-moving objects. In practice, in dynamic games, this means the ability to react faster to what is happening, for example, to aim more accurately at moving objects. On a 144 Hz sensor, gray-to-gray response time ... >>

Xiaomi Bluetooth Key Finder Gadget 05.09.2019

Xiaomi has launched a fundraiser for the release of a new device called Xiaomi Bluetooth Key Finder. The name says it all: these gadgets are designed to quickly find your keys. One keychain is hung on a bunch of keys, and the second is placed, for example, in a bag or wallet that you always carry with you. By the way, in the standard kit there are three such devices at once. All Xiaomi Bluetooth Key Finder support the ability to search each other. As soon as the gadgets move away from each other at a certain distance, the user immediately receives a hint on the smartphone that you may have forgotten the keys or something else related to other key fobs. On the smartphone screen, through the corresponding application, you can see the location and status of your Xiaomi Bluetooth Key Finder. In the event of a discharge, it will be possible to accurately determine the place where it was before the shutdown. A set of three Xiaomi Bluetooth Key Finder is offered for $14. ... >>

Mat for effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation 05.09.2019

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany have created a pressure-sensitive chest pad that will allow paramedics, first responders and other emergency workers to learn how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation faster and more efficiently. The device was called Rescue Aid, and its main task is to help people who have to do cardiopulmonary resuscitation feel confident in their abilities and hone their first aid skills to restore the body's vital functions and bring it out of a state of clinical death. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation includes chest compressions to a depth of 5-6 cm at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute. During training, the strain sensors on the Rescue Aid chest pad will determine the force of pressing and their speed, so that in real life a first responder can correctly perform all the necessary actions. The panel also beeps with every squeeze, essentially with ... >>

New life for polyurethane waste 04.09.2019

A team from the University of Illinois (USA) has developed a method for breaking down polyurethane, which allows it to be turned into other useful products. The scientists presented the results of their work at the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society. Polyurethane is a plastic polymer material. It is found in many objects around us: in paints, car parts, furniture padding, home insulation materials. As they fall into disrepair, these items are sent to landfill and incinerated - releasing toxic by-products. The composition of polyurethane includes two components that are difficult to destroy: isocyanates, which are composed of nitrogen, carbon and oxygen; and alcohol groups called polyols. "Polyols are usually petroleum-based and non-degradable," said graduate student Ephraim Morado, who developed the technology with his supervisor, Steven Zimmerman. To solve this problem, the command included ... >>

Serial electric car Volkswagen ID.3 04.09.2019

The ID.3 is an all-electric hatchback based on the MEB platform. The machine is 4 mm long, 260 m wide, and 1 mm high; wheelbase - 810 mm. The electric motor is mounted on the rear axle and has a return of either 1 or 550 horsepower, depending on the version (with the same torque - 2 Nm); the capacity of the battery pack - depending on the option - will be 770, 150 or 204 kilowatt-hours (in the first case, according to VW, the power reserve will be 310 kilometers, in the second - 45 km, in the third - 58 km (in all cases - according to the WLTP cycle)). A special version of the ID.77, the 330ST, is expected to come first, available in three equipment options; it will have a battery with a capacity of 420 kilowatt-hours and a 550 hp engine. (the car will be able to reach speeds of up to 3 kilometers per hour); prices for this version, according to VW, will start at less than 1 euros. Later, other versions of the electric hatchback will come to the market; prices ... >>

source of maternal instinct 03.09.2019

Biologists from Louisiana State University (USA) conducted a study on two groups of mice: the first were males, the second - females. The researchers found a group of cells activated by the hormone oxytocin in the brains of female mice, while no such cells were found in male mice. Oxytocin is also known as the "love hormone" and plays an important role in regulating behavior, including maternal behavior. "Many scientists have tried to figure out the difference between the oxytocin system in women and men, but no one has yet found conclusive evidence. Our discovery came as a big surprise to us," said Ryoichi Teruyama, assistant professor of biological sciences at the University of Louisiana. Oxytocin receptors, as it turned out, are contained in the area of ​​the brain responsible for the so-called maternal behavior. Moreover, the biologists reported that the expression of oxytocin receptors in these cells is observed only when estrogen is also present there. ... >>

USB4 specification developed 03.09.2019

The USB Implementers Forum, an American non-profit organization that develops the USB data transfer interface, has published data sheets for a new variant called USB4. The first version of the USB interface was developed in the mid-1990s by a group of companies that included Intel, Microsoft, Philips, and US Robotics. It was conceived as a universal way to connect devices to a computer instead of several that existed at that time. USB was supposed to expand the list of devices available for linking, including adding mobile phones to them, provide hot plugging and achieve ease of use. Today, USB is the most popular and in fact the main interface for connecting peripherals. Since then, the standard has gone through several updates: 2.0, 3.0 and 3.2. The maximum data transfer rate has increased from 1,5 megabits per second for version 1.0 to 20 gigabits for version 3.2. A new standard called USB4 will be ... >>

Found a way to influence the development of microbes 02.09.2019

Evolution is a truly incredible and fascinating process to observe, which in one way or another is increasingly amenable to new scientific research and experiments over time. Opened in the 90s. of the last century by Frans Arnold, the ability to modify the development of microbes in order to change their final form was a new step towards this full-scale change in the cultivation of new compounds and artificial molecules. So a team of microbiologists from Caltech University decided to present the results of their new work, dedicated to facilitating the cultivation of new antibiotics based on natural molecules. In particular, we are talking about the so-called beta-lactam rings, which are rather complex atomic rings in their structure, which can directly affect the ability of bacteria to form a natural biological defense for themselves - which means that this can be used in a number of other tasks and purposes. . In particular, experts have experimented ... >>

Global transport system with airships 02.09.2019

Rising to a height of 10 to 20 kilometers, airships will be able to be transported by the power of the polar jet stream - a narrow and powerful stream that blows steadily in the upper troposphere. The era of airships ended in 1937, when the passenger Hindenburg caught fire and died during landing. This disaster was not the largest, but it turned out to be the last straw: a dangerous mode of transport was abandoned, despite all its efficiency. Perhaps now is the time to return to zeppelins - already at a new level and with new technologies. It is not for nothing that many companies in the world are already developing their transportation systems using such lighter-than-air vehicles. Some of the prospects for cargo transportation by airships were appreciated by Julian Hunt and his colleagues. Their concept relies on truly large size machines; the authors write about airships ten times larger than the Hindenburg, which was 245 meters long. In theory, this will provide an increase in carrying capacity by three orders of magnitude, even in comparison ... >>

Mass of the lightest neutrino calculated 01.09.2019

Scientists from the UK, Brazil and France have for the first time set an upper limit on the mass of a particle of the lightest kind of neutrino. It is 0,086 electron volts, which is about six million times less than the mass of an electron. Neutrinos are elementary particles that have a super-strong throughput (hundreds of billions of neutrinos fly through your body in one second), but interact very weakly with ordinary matter - that's why they are so hard to catch. Science knows three types of these "ghostly" particles: electron, muon and tau neutrinos. Neutrinos of one kind can transform into other kinds. This process is called neutrino oscillation, and it is possible due to the fact that these particles have a non-zero mass. It is calculated that the maximum mass of the lightest neutrino is 0,086 electron volts (about 1,5 x 10-37 kilograms), and the combined mass of the "cocktail" of three types of neutrinos does not exceed 0,26 electron volts. The researchers were able to get these numbers thanks to ... >>

Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H mirrorless camera 01.09.2019

Panasonic presented a digital mirrorless camera - Lumix DC-S1H. The model received a CMOS sensor with dimensions of 35,6 x 23,8 mm and a resolution of 24 megapixels. The high-performance Venus Engine processor is responsible for processing the footage. The novelty is capable of shooting video in 6K resolution 5952 x 3988 pixels at 24 frames per second. If you switch to Full HD 1920 x 1080 pixels, the speed will increase to 120 frames per second. The shutter speed range is from 1/8000 to 60 s. Light sensitivity - ISO 100-51200, expandable to ISO 50-204800. There is an image stabilization system. A 3,2-inch swivel touch display is provided for viewing footage and controlling the camera. There is also an electronic viewfinder with 100% frame coverage. In addition, there are two slots for SD / SDHC / SDXC memory cards, USB 3.1 Gen 1 and HDMI ports, Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth wireless modules. Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H dimensions are 15 ... >>

New type of magnet discovered 31.08.2019

Chemical engineering specialists from New York University, USA, demonstrated their new, unusual design of a unique type of magnet, discovered not so long ago during a parallel study of the properties of certain types of uranium and antimony. Specialists have identified a new type of magnet as a "sweatshirt magnet", naming it so because this type of magnet has the unique ability to change its magnetic properties, switching from a magnetized state to a demagnetized state. It is worth noting that the discovery of this new type of magnet is of paramount importance for improving the quality and reliability of modern hard drives. In principle, the same applies to any other recording equipment. The very discovery of a new magnet was associated with the study of some configurations of antimony and uranium - then scientists were able to identify the prototype Usb2 magnet, in which electrons were formed not in the standard way, as is usually the case in magnets, but through a kind of layering and shifting ... >>

Plant Based Chicken by KFC 31.08.2019

Restaurant chain KFC will be testing plant-based "chicken" products - nuggets and wings - created in collaboration with Beyond Meat at one of its locations in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. These plant-based nuggets and wings, called Beyond Fried Chicken (created in collaboration with plant-based meat company Beyond Meat), will be offered free on August 27 to people who buy something at a KFC restaurant in Atlanta; while customers will be asked to provide feedback. The latter, KFC told Bloomberg, will be taken into account when considering the prospects for more extensive testing and potential introduction of such meat in restaurants across the country. Some other restaurant chains have already tested and even introduced plant-based products. For example, Burger King began selling the Impossible Whopp burger. ... >>

Data transmission through black holes 30.08.2019

Scientists at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa have determined the theoretical conditions under which a message can be sent through a wormhole - a hypothetical region of space-time that connects black holes in different universes. However, the amount of information in this case is very small and amounts to a few bits. The researchers studied the properties of space-time with negative curvature, that is, having the shape of a saddle. It is known that only in this case a passable wormhole or wormhole is formed. For simplicity, scientists have assumed that the universe has only two dimensions, but the results of their mathematical calculations are also applicable to three spatial dimensions. It turned out that only a few bits of information can pass through a wormhole. This is due to the fact that signaling affects the black holes themselves: the sending black hole will increase in mass, while the receiving black hole will decrease. The first message will cause the last one to lose 30 percent of the mass, and ... >>

Bright light improves the functioning of important genes 30.08.2019

Bright lighting can enhance the PER2 gene, which is responsible for strengthening blood vessels and protecting against cardiovascular problems. This conclusion was made by scientists from the University of Colorado. Exposure to light is beneficial for patients' hearts if light therapy is applied a week before surgery. Based on this connection, it is possible to create new drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, experts say. Keeping lab rodents in bright light helped the animals increase their protection against cardiovascular disease. The result of the work of experts led to the fact that in mice the degree of damage to heart tissue after a heart attack decreased. The PER2 gene is involved in the regulation of circadian rhythms and brain functions. Exposing it to bright light helped protect blood vessels and the heart from low oxygen levels (may be with ischemia), and also led to an increase in adenosine levels (regulates blood flow). After an experiment with rodents, scientists checked e ... >>

The blackest color for a BMW car 29.08.2019

The unique project was born thanks to the collaboration between BMW and Surrey NanoSystem, which developed Vantablack. The BMW X6 Vantablack VBx2 will be shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show. BMW painted the car in the blackest known substance. In 2014, British experts introduced the substance vantablack (vertically aligned nanotube arrays (vertically oriented arrays of nanotubes) + black (black)), which is the blackest known substance in the world. Vantablack consists of carbon nanotubes growing on aluminum foil, 14 to 50 micrometers long and 20 nanometers in diameter. Such a substance absorbs 99,965% of the radiation incident on it, which distorts the shape of the surface covered with vantablack and visually turns three-dimensional objects into two-dimensional blackness. The company has previously rejected all requests to paint vehicles with vantablack. The first car to receive an innovative coating was the new BMW X6 coupe-crossover, whose design is based on ... >>

Real-time sign language translation 29.08.2019

Developers from Google have managed to create a sign language translation tool that can be integrated into a smartphone. Sign language translation solutions have existed before, but they require powerful computers. The method created by Google allows you to do this in real time on a regular smartphone. To create its technology, Google used 30 images of different hands in different positions. According to the developers, real-time hand perception is challenging because the hands move so fast. Therefore, the researchers relied on machine learning technology. To simplify the task for artificial intelligence and reduce the amount of data, the developers identified 000 points on the hand (21 on each finger and 4 at the base of the hand). Unfortunately, Google is still having trouble translating facial expressions, which is an integral part of sign language. In order to find a solution and speed up the development of a solution, Google decided to open source its technology ... >>

Steam balloon will make it easier to launch satellites 28.08.2019

Scientists are working on a new, inexpensive and efficient system for launching satellites into space. A team of researchers at the Finnish Institute of Meteorology is exploring the possibility of using steam-filled balloons to launch satellites from them - instead of launching rockets from the surface of the Earth. Steam balloons can be used to lift rockets to a certain height above the Earth for launch. The higher above the Earth, the lower is the air resistance, and therefore the efficiency of such launches is higher. Launching satellites into orbit is greatly facilitated if the rocket rises to a certain altitude before launch, where the air is rarefied. Small rockets have already been launched from an airplane or balloon. However, using balloons filled with hydrogen or helium has its drawbacks: hydrogen is highly flammable and helium is expensive. "On Earth, a balloon fills with hot steam and then launches. As the balloon rises, some of the steam ... >>

Altimeters MS5611 and MS5607 28.08.2019

TE Connectivity manufactures precision atmospheric pressure sensors that can be used as altimeters with a resolution of up to 10 centimeters. MS5611-01BA03, MS5607-02BA are representatives of a line of high-resolution sensors developed by MEAS (Switzerland). These barometric pressure sensors are equipped with SPI and I2C interfaces and are optimized for use in variometers and altimeters with a height resolution of 10...20 centimeters. The assembly includes a highly linear pressure sensor and a 24-bit ultra-low power ADC with internal factory calibration. The high resolution of the internal temperature sensor allows the altimeter/thermometer function to be realized without the use of an external temperature sensor. MS5611/MS5607 can work together with various types of microcontrollers. There is no need to program the internal registers of the device due to the simple communication protocol. Miniature case 5x3x ... >>

Rapid bioprinting of living tissue 27.08.2019

Scientists in Switzerland and the Netherlands have come up with an optical bioprinting technology that takes just a few seconds to sculpt complex tissue shapes into a biocompatible hydrogel containing stem cells. Printed tissue and organs can be used in in vitro testing of new drugs instead of animal testing. The technology has been called volumetric bioprinting. To create the tissue, the researchers designed a laser that shines light onto a rotating, transparent container filled with stem cell hydrogel. The energy of light is concentrated in certain places in the hydrogel, which then harden. After a few seconds, a complex three-dimensional figure appears, "suspended" in the gel. The researchers then inject endothelial cells into the resulting tissue to form blood vessels. Using the new method, scientists have already been able to print several bioconstructions a few centimeters in size: an artificial valve similar to a heart valve ... >>

Internet speed doubled on the ISS 27.08.2019

NASA has upgraded the Internet on the International Space Station, more than doubling the connection speed. Now the ISS crew can transmit data at a speed of 600 Mbps. Since its inception in 2000, the ISS has provided astronauts and scientists with a unique environment to conduct research that would not be possible on Earth, such as studying the development of bacteria in low gravity and under the influence of cosmic rays. An important role is played by high-speed Internet, which provides communication with ground-based laboratories. Data is transmitted between the ISS and the Earth using a series of ground-based antennas and a tracking and data relay satellite system (TDRS). To increase the speed of the Internet, engineers had to modify ground stations and install new processors on the ISS. Now scientists can simultaneously broadcast data from more than 40 scientific missions. This experience will help provide high-speed Internet at the Lunar Gateway orbital station, which ... >>

Vegetable diet is good for multiple sclerosis 26.08.2019

Higher blood levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) - or good cholesterol - may reduce fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis, according to a new study from the University at Buffalo. A pilot study examining the effect of blood fat on fatigue caused by multiple sclerosis found that lowering total cholesterol levels also reduced wasting. The results highlight the impact of dietary changes on severe fatigue, which is seen in most people with multiple sclerosis. Fatigue is a common and debilitating symptom for people with multiple sclerosis, and it affects quality of life and ability to work full time. Despite its prevalence and the severity of its impact, treatment options for fatigue are limited. Drugs used to treat severe fatigue often have unwanted side effects. The researchers studied changes in body mass index (BMI), calories, total ... >>

Print meat in space 26.08.2019

3D Bioprinting Solutions will send rabbit and cow meat cells into space in September and try to print a steak out of them. This technology is needed to feed astronauts in orbit during very long flights. The launch of an experiment in space to print meat is scheduled for the ISS on September 25th. In September, cells obtained from the gums of a rabbit will be delivered to orbit, as well as cow cells, from which they will try to print meat. Now these cells are undergoing pre-flight tests. Space-printed meat is much more expensive than regular meat. A kilogram of specially grown cells, from which a conditional steak is printed on a bioprinter, cost more than 2011 million pounds back in 1, excluding the cost of printing. Now the price of a printed kilogram of meat is about $10. If on Earth nobody needs a kilogram of meat for that kind of money, then for space it is cheap. Delivering food to astronauts into orbit is very expensive. Most of the cargo of spacecraft is precisely food, and the ascent to the orb ... >>

Honeywell pressure sensor in SMD version 25.08.2019

The pressure sensor of the new MPR series is a combination of a piezoresistive silicon sensor and an application-specific digital output processing chip (ASIC). MPR sensors are factory calibrated and have built-in non-linearity compensation over a specified temperature range. The MPR line is focused on mass production of professional and consumer medical devices, for use in commercial equipment, as well as for industrial applications in heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems. For sensors of the MPR series, Total Error Band (TEB) readings are defined. These values ​​are set not only for accuracy, non-linearity, pressure hysteresis, and repeatability, but also for thermal hysteresis, thermal scale shift, and thermal zero-shift error. The maximum deviation can be indicated only for those sensors that have thermal compensation, and for the range in which it is provided. Sensor features ... >>

Smart home from IKEA 25.08.2019

IKEA said it is betting heavily on smart home technology as a new source of revenue. To do this, the company intends to invest in a new business unit "IKEA Home Smart", which will develop smart devices. Representatives of the company say that in order to speed up the development process, it was decided to create a new division and invest heavily in its development. IKEA's smart home ambitions began as early as 2015 with the introduction of tables and lamps that, thanks to integrated wireless charging technology, could be used to recharge compatible devices. In 2017, the company began offering smart lighting systems to customers, and from September 1 this year, smart blinds will go on sale in the United States. It is likely that IKEA will soon begin to produce more devices designed to create a "smart home". ... >>

Vaccine that makes cats hypoallergenic 24.08.2019

An international team of scientists has created a vaccine for cats that makes them hypoallergenic. The vaccine does not affect humans, but animals - the drug trains their immune system so that the body can attack the specific protein allergen Fel d 1, which is naturally produced. This is what causes allergies in some people. The drug was tested on healthy cats - all of them were able to develop an immune response and become hypoallergenic. The vaccine did not lead to negative consequences for their health. There are still several clinical trials ahead, after which the drug will be released to the market. Scientists emphasize that their development is beneficial to animals as well as to people - this will increase the chances that the owners will stop leaving them on the street or in a shelter after the first symptoms of allergies. ... >>

Smart sweat control patch 24.08.2019

Scientists from the University of California at Berkeley (UC Berkley, USA) have developed new sensors that can measure the rate of sweating in real time and determine the amount of electrolytes and metabolites in sweat. The sensor looks like a patch and is easily glued to the skin. In the future, such a sweat test could replace a blood test, and a patch - a needle prick. The new sensors contain a spiral microscopic tube - a microfluidic device - that collects sweat from the skin. By tracking the rate at which sweat passes through the microfluidic system, the sensors can report how much a person is sweating. The microfluidic tube is also equipped with chemical sensors that can detect the amount of electrolytes (mineral compounds capable of conducting electrical charge) in sweat, such as potassium and sodium, and metabolites, such as glucose. The developers came up with a new sensor design: they applied a sensor tube to a sheet of plastic patch using roll printing technology - according to ... >>

GeForce GTX 1650 Low Profile Accelerators 23.08.2019

ASUS has announced two new GeForce GTX 1650 series graphics accelerators - the GTX1650-O4G-LP-BRK and GTX1650-4G-LP-BRK solutions. The video cards are based on the NVIDIA Turing architecture. The key features of GeForce GTX 1650 solutions are 896 CUDA cores and 4 GB of GDDR5 memory with 128-bit bus (effective frequency - 8000 MHz). The base frequency of the chip core is 1485 MHz, the boosted frequency is 1665 MHz. Both ASUS new products received a low-profile design: the height is only 41 mm. This allows accelerators to be used in compact computers, for example, in home multimedia centers. The cards are capable of operating in Gaming Mode and OC Mode. In the GTX1650-4G-LP-BRK model, the base and boosted core frequencies in the first case correspond to the reference values, in the second they increase to 1515 MHz and 1695 MHz. Modification GTX1650-O4G-LP-BRK in Gaming Mode operates at frequencies of 1485/1710 MHz, in OC Mode - at frequencies of 1515/1740 MHz. The accelerators are equipped with two ... >>

Killer satellites 23.08.2019

The potential military rivalry of world powers in space made Japan think about creating satellites that could destroy similar devices of other countries. As early as the second half of 2020, Japan may launch killer satellites into orbit, the main function of which is to destroy other satellites in the event of a threat from them. Currently, the Japan Self-Defense Forces have satellites in orbit that are only capable of collecting and transmitting information to Earth. At the same time, the country considers the scenario of a space confrontation and the preparation of combat satellites by Russia and China to be quite real, so the Japanese Ministry of Defense intends to prepare its own response to a potential threat. In addition to killer satellites, Japan is working on creating electronic warfare equipment in space and protecting its satellites from similar technologies from other countries. ... >>

Cashew shell is UV resistant 22.08.2019

An international team of chemists developing beneficial compounds from non-food plant waste has made cashew shells absorb ultraviolet rays, including as part of sunscreens. One of the useful inventions obtained within the framework of this project was new aromatic compounds from the liquid contained in the shell of the cashew nut, which perfectly absorb ultraviolet rays. The innovation could be used to protect people, livestock, and polymers or coatings from the harmful effects of the sun. Chemists took on this work given the current public concerns about the ambiguous effects of pre-existing UV absorbers, including those found in sunscreens. Traditionally, both organic and inorganic compounds have been used as UV filters to mitigate UV exposure. Ideal organic filters exhibit high absorption of UV rays. For example, one of the organic compounds ... >>

Neural compass in the brain 22.08.2019

Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology recorded the activity of multiple anterodorsal nucleus neurons in a mouse's brain while the mouse itself ran free. The work of those neurons that responded to head turns was then analyzed using topological methods. Several thousand of these cells form a curved annular structure. (A similar ring was previously discovered in the Drosophila brain.) This ring converts heterogeneous information that enters the brain from the outside into information about which direction the head is in - turning the head corresponds to turning on neurons in one or another segment of the ring. Moreover, if a neuron makes a mistake, its neighbors will correct it, that is, the activity of nerve cells is attracted to a certain trajectory, as in mathematical attractors. Even in sleep, when neurons were almost disconnected from the outside world, the "compass" ring still worked - most likely because even in sleep the head is still directed somewhere, and ... >>

Supercar Draco GTE 21.08.2019

The new Tesla Roadster will not be the only electric supercar in the near future, it will be accompanied by the Drako GTE, created by Drako Motors. This is an electric sedan with four engines with a total power of 1200 hp. and peak torque of 8800 Nm. The manufacturer has not yet advertised the dynamic characteristics of the car, only the maximum speed is known, which is 332 km / h. The Drako GTE is built on a Fisker Karma chassis, equipped with Brembo brakes, Ohlins suspension and a choice of wheels (20-inch with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires or 21-inch with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s racing tires). The electric car can accommodate up to four people, while there is still room for luggage. The battery capacity of the Drako GTE is 90 kWh, and this is perhaps the only weak point of the electric car. A set of four motors with this power will put serious stress on the battery, so long distances are not to be expected. ... >>

Intel NNP-T processor 21.08.2019

Intel introduced the NNP-T (Nervana Neural Network Processor for Training), a large machine learning processor. The area of ​​the NNP-T crystal is 688 mm2, the number of transistors is 27 billion! The processor configuration includes 24 Tensor Cores with performance up to 119 TOPS (at 1,1 GHz), 60 MB of distributed memory and 32 GB of HBM2 flash memory (individual dies). The processor is manufactured using the 16nm CLN16FF+ process technology at TSMC. 32 GB of HBM2 memory is presented in four stacks with a bandwidth of 2,4 GB / s for each. Together with these chips, the processor already occupies 1200 mm2. The TSWC CoWoS (Chip-on-Wafer-on-Substrate) bus is responsible for connecting the process to memory. The result is a 60 x 60 mm BGA package with 3325 pins. The power consumption of the NNP-T ranges from 150 to 250 W when air-cooled. Later versions with a large TDP, designed for liquid CO, should appear. By the end of the year ... >>

Carbon ring 20.08.2019

Chemists from the University of Oxford and the IBM Research Center have reported the first successful synthesis of a molecule containing eighteen carbon atoms arranged in a ring. And yes, there is no mistake here, they received exactly the molecule - in a single copy. However, this synthesis was very different from the usual chemical experiments. First, the researchers took a molecule that already contained the prototype of the future carbon ring, but it was stabilized by a kind of "paper clips" that did not allow it to fall apart. The resulting workpiece was then placed on a specially prepared substrate. After that, at low temperature and low pressure, using an atomic force microscope, those very paper clips were sequentially separated from this molecule, leaving one carbon ring consisting of eighteen atoms. What is most surprising, the molecule did not fall apart and remained "lying" on the substrate intact. Most of all, researchers were interested in the question of how connections are arranged ... >>

Fighting heat with cold roofs 20.08.2019

To reduce the impact of abnormal heat on people, scientists propose to install "cold" roofs. The study was conducted by scientists from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory at the US Department of Energy. "Cold" roofs offer to equip in the most densely populated areas of California - San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Sacramento. “If we can cool these areas even a little, it could have a huge impact on health and negate the significant effects of climate change. By 2050, this will help reduce the impact of heat waves on people,” scientists say. Studies have shown that heatwaves above 35° and lasting at least three days will become 2 to 10 times more frequent in the future. The second objective of the study was to analyze the effectiveness of using such roofs to mitigate the effects of heat waves. To do this, the research team simulated the climate of the future by replacing all existing roofs with "cold" roofs. As a result, scientists ... >>

Eggs and tomatoes for auto parts 19.08.2019

Ohio State University professor Katrina Cornish announced the start of an experiment that will explore the possibility of using eggshells and tomato peels for the production of automotive parts. According to scientists, these materials may well replace some of the carbon black, which is now used in the production of rubber products. “I was struck by how tough the skin of tomatoes is, which allows them to maintain their shape even when hundreds of others are piled on top of one tomato. spare parts," said Cornish. At present, the rubber mixture formulations prepared by the university using egg and tomato waste are being tested by the project partners. They have already become the American company Tenneco, which produces auto components, as well as one unnamed car manufacturer. This is not the first time natural mats have been used. ... >>

2 GB/s HBM460E memory 19.08.2019

SK Hynix has announced the completion of the development of the industry's highest bandwidth HBM2E DRAM memory. Compared to the HBM2 memory currently used in supercomputers and graphics accelerators, the throughput has been increased by 50% - up to 460 GB / s (the speed per line reaches 3,6 Gb / s, and the total number of lines is 1024 pieces). Proprietary TSV (Through Silicon Via) technology allows you to create modules with a maximum capacity of 16 GB, packing eight HBM2E chips with a density of 16 Gb each in one package. For comparison, the maximum size of the current HBM2 modules is 8 GB. SK Hynix describes HBM2E memory as "the optimal solution for the fourth industrial era, supporting high-performance GPUs, supercomputers, machine learning systems and artificial intelligence systems that require the highest level of memory performance." In other words, it is a high-performance and expensive memory for ... >>

Meike MK-85mm F2.8 macro lens 18.08.2019

The Meike range has been expanded with two more varieties of the MK-85mm F2.8 macro lens. Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony E, Fujifilm X, and Micro Four Thirds mounts have been added to Canon and Nikon mirrorless camera options, i.e. Canon RF and Nikon Z mounts. Meike MK-85mm full-frame lens F2.8 focuses manually. In the process of focusing, its length varies within 120-140 mm. According to the manufacturer, the lens is well suited not only for macro photography, but also for portraits. Its advantages include beautiful out-of-focus blur and a durable metal construction with weather protection. The front element's multi-layer coating reduces the risk of ghosting and flare. Meike MK-85 F2.8 lens specifications: Focal length - 85 mm; Field of view angle - 28,2°; Aperture - f / 2,8-f / 22; Optical design - 11 elements in 8 groups; Minimum distance ... >>

Water purification with brewer's yeast 18.08.2019

Brewer's yeast and other beer waste can reduce nitrate levels in Spanish waterways by up to 40%. This conclusion was made by scientists from the Spanish Center for Advanced Studies Blanes (CEAB-CSIC). Beer production waste contains microorganisms that process nitrates into molecular nitrogen. Nitrates are a serious pollutant of European rivers: because of them, the level of oxygen in the water decreases, which affects the underwater flora and fauna. So far, there is no technology that would allow removing nitrates from water at water treatment plants. Scientists are already testing the effectiveness of their method in several ponds and dams in Barcelona. If this cleaning method proves effective, it will be used in other regions of Spain, especially where agriculture is developed - the main source of nitrates. ... >>

DC/DC Converter TPS6284x from Texas Instruments 17.08.2019

Texas Instruments has announced a new TPS6284x buck converter. Converters are designed to work in portable devices from any type of batteries and accumulators. The microcircuit has the smallest own consumption among analogues, which is only 60 nA. Technical parameters: Input voltage range: 1,8...6,5 V; 16 output voltage options from 1,8 to 3,3 V, programmable with a single resistor; Rated average output current: 750 mA; Self-consumption current: 60 nA; Efficiency: more than 80% already at a current of 1 μA; Operating temperature range: -40...125°С; Package options: SON-8, WCSP-6, HVSSOP-8. Typical applications: Devices powered by batteries and any chemical accumulators; Portable electronics; Medical equipment. ... >>

Compact stabilizer for DJI Osmo Mobile 3 smartphones 17.08.2019

Manufacturer of drones and video equipment, DJI has introduced a new handheld gimbal for smartphones Osmo Mobile 3. Compared to previous models, it has become lighter, more compact and more functional. The main change is a new foldable design that allows you to take the gimbal with you, placing it in a small purse or backpack. When folded, the dimensions of Osmo Mobile 3 are only 157x130x46 mm. At the same time, the manufacturer did not save on functions, moreover, he returned the power button, which was in the first generation Osmo Mobile. The controls have been simplified to make it easier to use with one hand, and the foldable design allows quick access to all ports. The battery life is 15 hours, which is about the same as the previous model. It takes 2,5 hours to fully charge. The company noted that the inability to fold the Osmo Mobile stabilizers of the first two ... >>

SK Hynix Gold S31 SSDs 16.08.2019

SK Hynix has announced the Gold S31 series Solid State Drives (SSD) for the consumer market. Products are made in a 2,5-inch form factor, and a SATA interface is used to connect to a computer. SK Hynix 3D NAND flash memory microchips and own SK Hynix controller are used. The Gold S31 family includes three models - with a capacity of 250 GB, 500 GB and 1 TB. The declared speed of sequential reading of information reaches 560 MB / s, the sequential write speed is 525 MB / s. Drives are suitable for use in relatively inexpensive computers. The manufacturer's warranty is five years. It will be possible to purchase SK Hynix Gold S31 series devices at an estimated price of 50 to 124 US dollars. ... >>

Sony WF-1000XM3 Active Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones 16.08.2019

Sony has launched the Sony WF-1000XM3 wireless headphones with active noise cancellation. The novelty is equipped with a Bluetooth chip, which provides simultaneous transmission of sound to the left and right earphones, unlike the traditional way of broadcasting first to the left and then to the right earphone. Improved antenna design enhances connection quality, while reduced audio latency ensures comfortable video viewing on the connected device. The headphones use the QN1e HD noise-canceling processor, which processes extraneous noise that is captured using Dual Noise Sensor technology and two microphones (internal and external). The processor not only allows you to suppress more noise at all frequencies, from the rumble of an airplane to the noise of city streets, but also consumes less power. 24-bit audio processing and amplified digital-to-analog converter provide high-quality sound, while the Digital Sound Enhancement Engine HX (DSEE HX) ... >>

Robot on the road 15.08.2019

In order to unload traffic in large cities and prevent as many accidents as possible, the Chinese authorities have sent robots to help people, designed to keep order on the roads. China is increasingly integrating high technology into the protection and services of citizens in large cities. Now we can add another miracle of modern engineering to this list - a police robot. The Handan Public Security Bureau in North China has deployed three types of transport robots to assist human officers. In a report from state-run Xinhua news agency, Zhou Zuoying, deputy head of the Traffic Management Research Institute under the Ministry of Public Security, said the deployment of the bots marks the first use of "robo-traffic police" in China. Each of the three types of robots looks slightly different than the others and will perform unique functions that the Global Times - another government publication - has detailed. ... >>

The danger of global warming for aircraft 15.08.2019

Scientists at the University of Reading in England have concluded that global warming will increase clear-sky turbulence, which could pose a risk to air passengers. The researchers found that warming in the Arctic leads to a decrease in air temperature in the lower stratosphere near the poles. At the same time, there is an increase in temperature in the upper part of the troposphere above the equator. The higher the temperature difference between the equator and the pole, the stronger the high-altitude jet stream from west to east across the North Atlantic becomes. In the lower part of the troposphere, the reverse trend occurs: the temperature gradient is smoothed out, which weakens the jet stream. Both processes compensate for each other, but recently there has been an increase in wind shear, in which the speed and direction of the wind changes significantly over a relatively small area of ​​the atmosphere. The upper jet stream does not change, but the lower one weakens. Thus, descending airliners with each ... >>

Fluorescent glow to search for extraterrestrial life 14.08.2019

Astronomers from Cornell University (USA) have discovered a new way to search for life in space: hidden biospheres can be detected using sharp flashes of ultraviolet radiation from red dwarfs. These flares were previously thought to destroy life on the surfaces of planets orbiting stars. New research shows that UV radiation, on the contrary, can cause biofluorescence, which will become the "signature" of life on exoplanets. On Earth, there are organisms that glow in the dark due to biofluorescence, for example, some deep-sea fish, underwater corals. The latter use biofluorescence as a sunscreen: their fluorescent proteins absorb the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays and emit a beautiful glow in return - already at safe wavelengths. Scientists have suggested that such life forms may exist in other worlds. Astronomers generally agree that most exoplanets are planets that are outside the solar system. ... >>

Human fear recognition service 14.08.2019

Amazon said its deep-learning service Rekognition has learned to detect expressions of fear on people's faces. It is the eighth type of emotion controlled by the system, along with happiness, sadness, anger, surprise, disgust, calmness, and confusion. In addition, Amazon says that it has improved the accuracy of age determination, so that narrower age ranges are now available to users for most age categories. The news that Rekognition has learned to recognize fear caused a public outcry, especially as Amazon works with law enforcement and intelligence agencies. According to some reports, the company intends to compete for a contract with the US Border and Customs Service (one of the most controversial agencies today), which plans to create a new security system based on facial recognition technology. Civil rights organizations and many tech giants called on Amaz ... >>

HPP801A031 - capacitive relative humidity sensor 13.08.2019

TE Connectivity's new HPP801A031 (HS1101LF) relative humidity sensor is designed for industrial and consumer applications and features high reliability and long-term stability. The HPP801A031 is a 0...100% RH analog capacitive sensor with a nominal capacitance of 180 pF (@55%RH) that varies with humidity by a factor of 0,31 pF/%RH. Based on the HPP801A031, it is easy to build moisture-frequency converters with an output frequency range from 5 to 300 kHz. The maximum operating voltage of the sensor is 10 V, the operating temperature limit is from -60 to 140°C. Available in a protective case, the HPP801A031 is resistant to many chemicals associated with household appliances or automotive applications. The sensor is built on a proprietary technology that uses a solid polymer structure to provide a fast response time (3 sec) and a very low temperature coefficient (-0,01 pF/°C). Region ... >>

July 2019 - the hottest month in the history of meteorological observations 13.08.2019

July 2019 was the hottest month on the planet in the history of meteorological observations. This is evidenced by the data of the climate report published on the website of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Scientists report that July 2019 broke the previous record, which was recorded in 2016. Abnormal heat was observed in different regions of North and South America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, southern Africa, the western Indian and Atlantic Oceans and certain regions in the Western Pacific Ocean. According to meteorological observations, the month of July has been the hottest month for five years in a row. Since 2005, 9 out of 10 temperature peaks have been recorded. At the same time, scientists note that due to record high temperatures, the area of ​​​​glaciers in the Arctic and Antarctica has reached a historical minimum. In particular, in the Arctic, it decreased by 19,8%. ... >>

Frameless smartphone with built-in solar battery 12.08.2019

Xiaomi has filed a patent application with the World Intellectual Property Organization for the development of a solar-powered smartphone. The images included in this document show a mobile device with a full screen front panel without cutouts or holes. The front camera is not visible, there is no retractable module either, but the camera can be hidden under the display - the corresponding technology is currently being developed. The most interesting is on the back panel, where the solar panel is placed. In addition to a dual camera with flash, the design of which is identical to Xiaomi Mi 8 and Redmi Note 6 Pro, the smartphone is equipped with a solar panel that occupies most of the body. However, this design does not make the device thicker, the images show that the camera module protrudes even more than this battery. It is not yet clear if Xiaomi really intends to release a smartphone with a solar battery, but the Chinese company may be the first manufacturer to do so. ... >>

space tanker 12.08.2019

NASA has announced 19 new partnerships with 10 US companies to develop new space technologies. Most of them will be used in the Artemis lunar program. Among them is an agreement with SpaceX to develop technology for in-flight refueling of spacecraft. SpaceX will work to develop the technology needed to put rocket fuel into orbit and develop the Starship spacecraft that will go to the Moon and Mars. SpaceX said they are happy to help the Artemis program, which sees NASA send humans to the Moon by 2024. "We believe SpaceX's fleet of state-of-the-art rockets and spacecraft, including the Falcon Heavy and starships, is integral to accelerating NASA's lunar and Martian plans." One of SpaceX's chief engineers, Paul Wooster, who is developing the Starship spacecraft, noted that in-space refueling is one of the most difficult technological challenges the company will have to solve. The company plans to find ... >>

Tesla Megapack 1,5 MW megabattery 11.08.2019

In early 2017, Tesla launched the world's largest back-up energy storage using only lithium-ion batteries. The power of the installation was 20 MW, and the capacity was 80 MWh. Less than a year later, Tesla built a 129 MWh storage facility in Australia. These units were built using 2 kWh Powerpack 200 batteries. And now they have been replaced by Megapack batteries. Megapack capacity - 3 MWh with a power of 1,5 MW. Tesla claims that, using Megapack batteries, it can deploy a 250 MW, 1 GWh storage facility in less than three weeks, while covering an area of ​​just over 12 m000. Apparently, it is the new batteries that will be used in the huge storage project with a capacity of up to 2 GWh, which was announced last year. Tesla also noted that the Australian storage facility saved $1,1 million in its first year of operation. ... >>

Fish evolve from anglers 11.08.2019

Anglers love bigger fish - this applies to those who stand with fishing rods on some small river, and those who walk with nets on fishing boats. Fish, like any living organism, tries to adapt to being caught - and as a result, there are more and more small fish in populations. Or, in other words, there are more and more individuals that grow slowly, but mature quickly at the same time - such individuals successfully escape from fishing nets to leave offspring. Scientists have been able to show that such changes have a genetic basis. Researchers from Cornell University and other research centers in the United States set up an experiment with the Atlantic menidia - a small fish no more than 15 cm in length. Six populations of menidia lived in laboratory aquariums, from which some of the inhabitants were periodically caught: the largest were selected from the two populations, the smallest from the other two, and finally, there were no preferences in the last two - they were caught randomly. ... >>

Robotic Tail Arque 10.08.2019

Have you ever wondered what it's like to have a wearable tail that can improve your agility and balance? Researchers at Keio University in Japan have created such a device. The prototype, named Arque, was demonstrated at the SIGGRAPH conference in Los Angeles. The robotic tail is made up of several interlocking plastic vertebrae and can be customized based on the user's weight and height. Small weights can be inserted inside each vertebra to offset the center of gravity, allowing it to stay balanced when moving quickly or carrying heavy objects. The tail is powered by four artificial muscles that contract and expand using pneumatics. Having an external compressor is still a downside as the design itself isn't exactly mobile, but as Gizmodo points out, advances in artificial muscles mean that future iterations will help power the design from a portable battery. ... >>

Tested the most powerful hypersonic engine 10.08.2019

The US Air Force at Arnold Air Force Base in Tennessee tested the most powerful American hypersonic ramjet engine developed by Northrop Grumman Corporation. During past tests, the hypersonic ramjet power unit worked for a total of 30 minutes and developed a maximum thrust of 58 kilonewtons, which corresponds to a speed of Mach 4. The tested engine reaches a length of 5,5 meters, which is the standard size of the power unit for a fighter. The development of hypersonic aircraft is a rather difficult task, primarily due to the lack of an engine that could operate stably at hypersonic speeds. Bypass jet engines, which are installed on fighters, due to their design features, cannot accelerate the aircraft faster than Mach 2,2. Prototypes of hypersonic ramjet engines begin to work stably only at ... >>

Growth of the consumer robot market 09.08.2019

A new study by analytics firm Juniper Research has predicted that more than 2024 million consumer robots will be released in 74. For comparison: 28 million are expected to be released this year. At the same time, robots helping around the house, such as robotic vacuum cleaners or robotic lawn mowers, will be shipped 19 million units this year, and 2024 million units in 20. In other words, other segments will provide the basis for growth Analysts believe that suppliers will pay attention to the educational side of robots, in particular, by offering tools for programming them, and adding new functions, increasing value in the eyes of consumers. It is these factors that will drive growth in demand for consumer robots over the next five years. ... >>

GMO human liver grown 09.08.2019

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have grown miniature human livers from genetically engineered cells for the first time in the lab. The organoids will serve as a model for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This disease is associated with excessive accumulation of fat in the body and can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure. At the first stage, the team took human skin cells and genetically modified them, introducing a switch that weakens the SIRT1 gene. Then the cells were "rebooted", returning them to the stem stage, and development was directed along a different path. The resulting hepatocytes were implanted into a scaffold of a rat liver, purified from its own cells. Due to the presence of a scaffold, the cells formed miniature analogues of the human liver with blood vessels and other structures. This distinguishes the new development from traditional organoids - tiny structures that consist of cells from a specific organ, but do not repeat it with ... >>

artificial sun 08.08.2019

American scientists from the University of Wisconsin were able to create a mini-copy of the Sun in the laboratory in order to better learn about the structure of a real star. The project was named Big Red Ball. The project was the first in which scientists managed to create reactions that mimic the Sun's magnetic field. It is impossible to simulate all processes completely in the laboratory. This time, as noted, the team managed to implement the movement of solar plasma. With the help of research, physicists intend to find out why and how the solar wind occurs. It is a stream of charged particles of plasma and gas, which flows at extremely high speeds from the surface of a star. The model is a hollow three-meter sphere filled with helium plasma. To create a magnetic field, scientists placed magnets in the center of the sphere. As a result, when the physicists turned on the mini-copy, the particles began to rotate around the center due to the force of the inner core. However, at a speed of 35,5 thousand km / h, the plasma pulled out ... >>