Computer America

Show Notes 28 February 2025Story 1: This Chip Could Be the Massive Breakthrough We’ve Been Waiting for in Quantum ComputingSource: Popular Mechanics Story by Darren OrfLink: https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a63872181/majorana-1-topological-qubit/See Microsoft’s official announcement here: https://news.microsoft.com/source/features/innovation/microsofts-majorana-1-chip-carves-new-path-for-quantum-computing/See Mircosoft’s video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSHmygPQukQ&t=18sSee also: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/quantum/2025/02/19/microsoft-unveils-majorana-1-the-worlds-first-quantum-processor-powered-by-topological-qubits/See also: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/microsoft-s-majorana-1-what-a-new-state-of-matter-means-for-quantum-computing/ar-AA1znhjkStory 2: Scientists Reveal "Artificial Leaf" That Turns Carbon into Sustainable FuelsSource: Futurism.com Story by Noor Al-SibaiLink: https://futurism.com/artificial-leaf-carbon-sustainable-fuelSee research paper here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41929-025-01292-y*Story 3: AI-designed chips are so weird that humans cannot really understand them — but they perform better than anything we've createdSource: LiveScience.com Story by Tim DantonLink: https://www.livescience.com/technology/computing/humans-cannot-really-understand-them-weird-ai-designed-chip-is-unlike-any-other-made-by-humans-and-performs-much-betterSee research paper here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-54178-1#Fig1Story 4: Biohybrid hand gestures with human muscles - Complex finger movements made possible with rolls of tendon like human muscle tissueSource: University of Tokyo Press ReleaseLink: https://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/focus/en/press/z0508_00386.htmlSee video here: https://www.msn.com/en-xl/news/other/terminator-like-hand-that-uses-lab-grown-muscle-tissue-developed/vi-AA1zddSI

Story 1: Scientists develop a compact camera that can identify objects at the speed of lightSource: Digital Camera World Story by Leonie HelmLink: https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/cameras/scientists-develop-a-compact-camera-that-can-identify-objects-at-the-speed-of-lightSee the research paper here: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adp0391See video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfgzAGpwHv4Story 2: This Solar-Powered Reactor Sucks CO2 From the Air and Turns It into FuelSource: Gizmodo.com Story by Margherita BassiLink: https://gizmodo.com/this-solar-powered-reactor-sucks-co2-from-the-air-and-turns-it-into-fuel-2000563558See the research paper here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-025-01714-yStory 3: Engineers develop a soft robot that crawls, climbs, and shape-shifts to move in new directionsSource: TechXplore.com Story from Seoul National UniversityLink: https://techxplore.com/news/2025-02-soft-robot-climbs-shifts.html#google_vignetteSee also the research paper here: https://www.cell.com/cell-reports-physical-science/fulltext/S2666-3864(25)00047-5Story 4: New assistive device enhances grasping for people with spinal cord injuriesSource: UC Berkeley Engineering News Page Story by Marni ElleryLink: https://engineering.berkeley.edu/news/2025/02/new-assistive-device-enhances-grasping-for-people-with-spinal-cord-injuries/Honorable MentionsStory: A spine-zapping implant helped 3 people with a muscle-wasting disease walk betterSource: AP News Service Story by Lauran NeergaardLink: https://apnews.com/article/spinal-muscular-atrophy-stimulate-neurodegenerative-826a3ea658d4daa36b6b0671b162af3cStory: Scientists Invent Device That Straps to Any Car's Tailpipe, Transforming Exhaust Into ElectricitySource: Futurism.com Story by Frank LandymoreLink: https://futurism.com/the-byte/device-tailpipe-exhaust-electricityStory: Photon-powered quantum battery breakthrough could boost solar cell efficiencySource: Interesting Engineering Story by Aman TripathiLink: https://interestingengineering.com/energy/photon-powered-quantum-batteryStory: New holistic Apple Health Study launches today [February 14] in the Research appSource: Apple NewsroomLink: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/02/new-holistic-apple-health-study-launches-today-in-the-research-app

Show Notes 14 February 2025Story 1: New fabric can heat up more than 50 degrees to keep people warm in ultracold weatherSource: LiveScience.com Story by Victoria AtkinsonLink: https://www.livescience.com/chemistry/new-fabric-can-heat-up-almost-50-degrees-to-keep-people-warm-in-ultracold-weatherSee the team’s research paper here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42114-024-00994-4Story 2: MIT engineers develop breakthrough technology that could change the way we process \[recycled\] aluminumSource: Yahoo\!Tech "Today in Tech" Story by Jeremiah BudinLink: https://www.yahoo.com/tech/mit-engineers-develop-breakthrough-technology-110053323.html?guccounter=1See also: https://www.techexplorist.com/capturing-recycling-aluminum-manufacturing-waste/95378/See also: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c07268Story 3: Machine Learning Designs Materials as Strong as Steel and as Light as FoamSource: Technology Networks Story from University of TorontoLink: https://www.technologynetworks.com/applied-sciences/news/machine-learning-designs-materials-as-strong-as-steel-and-as-light-as-foam-395414See also: https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adma.202410651Story 4: New Smart Glasses Use Insect Vision Tech to Restore Full 3D Visual Experience - offering treatment of macular degenerationSource: WonderfulEngineering.com Story by Jannat Un NisaLink: https://wonderfulengineering.com/new-smartglasses-use-insect-vision-tech-to-restore-full-3d-visual-experience/Check out the great video on the opening page of the company behind this technology, see: https://www.soliddd.com/For more info, interviews, reviews, news, radio, podcasts, video, and more, check out ComputerAmerica.com!

Show Notes 7 February 2025Story 1: More Sustainable Tires in Sight as Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Bridgestone Team UpSource: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Story by JoAnna WendelLink: https://www.pnnl.gov/news-media/more-sustainable-tires-sight-pnnl-and-bridgestone-teamStory 2: Scientists Develop Printable Droplet Laser DisplaysSource: Photonics SpectraLink: https://www.photonics.com/Articles/Scientists_Develop_Printable_Droplet_Laser/a70594Story 3: US firm to bury nuclear reactors 1-mile underground to power data centersSource: InterestingEngineering.com Story by Aman TripathiLink: https://interestingengineering.com/energy/bury-nuclear-reactor-1-mile-undergroundSee also: https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/why-this-startup-wants-to-bury-nuclear-reactors-a-mile-underground/See also: https://deepfission.com/Story 4: New biomaterial offers treatment for central nervous system injuriesSource: ScientistLive.comLink: https://www.scientistlive.com/content/new-biomaterial-offers-treatment-central-nervous-system-injuriesSee also: https://www.bath.ac.uk/announcements/piezoelectric-biomaterial-offers-new-treatment-potential-for-central-nervous-system-injuries/For more info, interviews, reviews, news, radio, podcasts, video, and more, check out ComputerAmerica.com!

Show Notes 31 January 2025Story 1: Scientists use plasma to enable futuristic 3D-printed food — here's how it could revolutionize an industrySource: The Cool Down Story by Leslie SattlerLink: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/nutrition/scientists-use-plasma-to-enable-futuristic-3d-printed-food-here-s-how-it-could-revolutionize-an-industry/ar-AA1wXca4See also: https://phys.org/news/2024-12-3d-pea-gels-potential-food.htmlSee also: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2212429224004802?via%3DihubStory 2: Koreans Create EV Battery That Puts Out Its Own Fires and Holds 87% Power After 1000 CyclesSource: CarScoops.com Story by Brad AndersonLink: https://www.carscoops.com/2025/01/korean-researches-create-ev-battery-that-can-extinguish-itself-in-a-fire/See also: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/smll.202406200Story 3: Quantum computers that are actually useful and 1 step closer thanks to new silicon processor that could pack millions of qubitsSource: LiveScience.com Story by Owen HughesLink: https://www.livescience.com/technology/computing/quantum-computers-that-are-actually-useful-1-step-closer-thanks-to-new-silicon-processor-that-could-pack-millions-of-qubitsSee also: https://www.equal1.com/post/equal1-new-major-quantum-computing-breakthroughStory 4: New knit haptic sleeve simulates realistic touchSource: Stanford University News Link: https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2024/12/new-knit-haptic-sleeve-simulates-realistic-touchSee also: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scirobotics.ado3887For more info, interviews, reviews, news, radio, podcasts, video, and more, check out ComputerAmerica.com!

Show Notes 10 January 2025Story 1: A new catalyst can turn methane into something useful - MIT chemical engineers have devised a way to capture methane, a potent greenhouse gas, and convert it into polymers.Source: MIT News Story by Anne TraftonLink: https://news.mit.edu/2024/new-catalyst-can-turn-methane-into-something-useful-1204See the research paper here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41929-024-01251-zStory 2: Balloon system can produce localized solar electricity for the ground belowSource: TechXplore.com Story by Bob YirkaLink: https://techxplore.com/news/2024-11-balloon-localized-solar-electricity-ground.htmlSee also: https://www.pv-magazine.com/2024/11/21/balloon-integrated-pv-system-for-emergency-power-needs-at-low-altitude/See also: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S036054422403500X?via%3DihubStory 3: Future robots could one day tell how you're feeling by measuring your sweat, scientists saySource: LiveScience.com Story by Owen HughesLink: https://www.livescience.com/technology/robotics/future-robots-could-one-day-tell-how-youre-feeling-by-measuring-your-sweat-scientists-saySee also: https://www.shiningscience.com/2024/12/future-robots-could-one-day-tell-how.htmlStory 4: World’s first 3D-printed microneedles pave way for hearing loss treatmentsSource: Interesting Engineering via MSN Story by Kapil Kajal Link: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/world-s-first-3d-printed-microneedles-pave-way-for-hearing-loss-treatments/ar-AA1wtZPvSee also: https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/most-interesting-needle-worldFor more info, interviews, reviews, news, radio, podcasts, video, and more, check out ComputerAmerica.com!

Show Notes 3 January 2025Story 1: Solar-powered plasma technology offers a sustainable solution for seed germination challengesSource: Phys.org Story by Frontiers JournalsLink: https://phys.org/news/2024-12-solar-powered-plasma-technology-sustainable.htmlSee also: https://journal.hep.com.cn/fase/EN/10.15302/J-FASE-2024573Story 2: Circuit boards made from leaves could green up electronics’ actSource: Anthropocene Story by Anthropocene TeamLink: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2024/12/circuit-boards-made-from-leaves-could-green-up-electronics-act/See also: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adq3276Story 3: Artificial photosynthesis could transform power generationSource: Earth.com Story by Rodielon PutolLink: https://www.earth.com/news/artificial-photosynthesis-could-transform-power-generation/  Story 4: 'Electronic' scalp tattoos could be next big thing in brain monitoringSource: LiveScience.com Story by Emily CookeLink: https://www.livescience.com/health/neuroscience/electronic-scalp-tattoos-could-be-next-big-thing-in-brain-monitoringSee video here: https://cdn.jwplayer.com/previews/VOXuFPvf  For more info, interviews, reviews, news, radio, podcasts, video, and more, check out ComputerAmerica.com!

Computer America Stories 12/13/2024Throughout Popzara you’ll find views on gaming, movies, technology, cultural icons and so much more. Reviews and previews, in-depth analyses, opinion pieces, conversations, and a regularly updated Podcast keep things interesting and always entertaining. Our diverse editorial staff is committed to bringing this cornucopia of editorial goodness in fair-minded and positive ways, with minimal snark and maximum fun. A little bit of everything for the discriminating reader and curious listener is what you’ll find at Popzara. LG stops making Blu-ray playershttps://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/lg-stops-making-blu-ray-players-marking-the-end-of-an-era-limited-units-remain-while-inventory-lasts Microsoft kills off Skype credits and phone numbers in favor of subscriptionshttps://www.theverge.com/2024/12/13/24320322/skype-credit-number-discontinued-microsoft Bluesky now has more than 25 million usershttps://www.theverge.com/2024/12/13/24320334/bluesky-now-has-more-than-25-million-users Misc. CES 2025 Coming!The Game Awards 2024https://www.theverge.com/24319637/the-game-awards-2024-trailers-annoucementsFor more info, interviews, reviews, news, radio, podcasts, video, and more, check out ComputerAmerica.com!

Show Notes 27 December 2024Story 1: Google 'Willow' quantum chip has solved a problem the best supercomputer would have taken a quadrillion times the age of the universe to crackSource: LiveScience.com Story by Afifi-SabetLink: https://www.livescience.com/technology/computing/google-willow-quantum-computing-chip-solved-a-problem-the-best-supercomputer-taken-a-quadrillion-times-age-of-the-universe-to-crackSee also: https://arxiv.org/abs/2408.13687Story 2: IBM Study: “Vehicles Believed to be Software-Defined and AI-Powered by 2035”Source: AutoTechNews Press RoomLink: https://autotech.news/ibm-study-vehicles-believed-to-be-software-defined-and-ai-powered-by-2035/See also: https://www.ibm.com/thought-leadership/institute-business-value/en-us/report/automotive-2035Story 3: Mercedes is working on "solar paint" that could drastically reduce the need for charging - Enough juice for 12,000 km per year in sunny areasSource: TechSpot.com Story by Zo AhmedLink: https://www.techspot.com/news/105884-mercedes-working-solar-paint-could-eliminate-need-charging.html Story 4: Noninvasive imaging method can penetrate deeper into living tissue - Using high-powered lasers, this new method could help biologists study the body’s immune responses and develop new medicinesSource: MIT News Story by Adam ZeweLink: https://news.mit.edu/2024/noninvasive-imaging-method-can-penetrate-deeper-living-tissue-1211For more info, interviews, reviews, news, radio, podcasts, video, and more, check out ComputerAmerica.com!

Show Notes 20 December 2024Story 1: Scientists and engineers produce world's first carbon-14 diamond battery with potential lifespan of thousands of yearsSource: University of Bristol News releaseLink: https://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2024/december/diamond-battery-media-release.htmlSee also: https://gizmodo.com/the-forever-battery-worlds-first-diamond-battery-promises-power-for-thousands-of-years-2000536275  Story 2: From scrap to strength: Solid phase manufacturing transforms aluminum waste into high-value alloysSource: TechXplore.com Story by Karyn Hede, Pacific Northwest National LaboratoryLink: https://techxplore.com/news/2024-12-scrap-strength-solid-phase-aluminum.htmlSee also: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-53062-2See also: https://www.pnnl.gov/shapeStory 3: US scientists probe potentially massive energy source buried deep underground — and it has potential to power the globe for thousands of yearsSource: The Cool Down via MSN Story by Rick KazmerLink: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/us-scientists-probe-potentially-massive-energy-source-buried-deep-underground-and-it-has-potential-to-power-the-globe-for-thousands-of-years/ar-AA1vTyWtSee also: https://research.unl.edu/blog/husker-scientists-exploring-hydrogen-energy-potential-from-underground-rift/#:~:text=University%20of%20Nebraska%E2%80%93Lincoln%20researchers,reduce%20reliance%20on%20fossil%20fuelsSee also: Model suggests Earth's subsurface may hold up to 5.6 × 10⁶ million metric tons of natural hydrogen https://phys.org/news/2024-12-earth-subsurface-million-metric-tons.htmlSee also: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/hidden-hydrogen-reserves-could-power-world-for-200-years/ar-AA1vXWXy  Story 4: New type of medical scanner shows promise for stroke patientsSource: MedicalXpress.com Story by Laura Graham, University of AberdeenLink: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-12-medical-scanner-patients.htmlSee also: https://pubs.rsna.org/doi/10.1148/radiol.232972For more info, interviews, reviews, news, radio, podcasts, video, and more, check out ComputerAmerica.com!