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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!

Show Notes 13 December 2024Story 1: Meet 'Blackbird': A flying taxi that spins and moves in any direction thanks to new propulsion system -- My add -- inspired by the kind of propulsion widely used on tugs and ferriesSource: LiveScience.com Story by Rory BathgateLink: https://www.livescience.com/technology/electric-vehicles/meet-blackbird-a-flying-taxi-that-spins-and-moves-in-any-direction-thanks-to-new-propulsion-systemSee video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqDNSV7kqnkSee also: https://www.cyclotech.at/See also: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/flying-taxi-blackbird-uses-boat-inspired-propulsion-system/ar-AA1v8HqI   Story 2: Researchers present the first fully AI-designed wind turbine — it’s 7x more efficient in citiesSource: ZME Science via MSN Story by Mihai AndreiLink: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/researchers-present-the-first-fully-ai-designed-wind-turbine-it-s-7x-more-efficient-in-cities/ar-AA1vc9xlSee also: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2024/the-birmingham-blade-the-worlds-first-geographically-tailored-urban-wind-turbine-designed-by-aiStory 3: World Labs’ AI can generate interactive 3D scenes from a single photoSource: TechCrunch Story by Kyle WiggersLink: https://techcrunch.com/2024/12/02/world-labs-ai-can-generate-interactive-3d-scenes-from-a-single-photo/See also: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/something-previously-impossible-new-ai-makes-3d-worlds-out-of-a-single-image/ar-AA1v9jQLSee also: https://www.worldlabs.ai/aboutSee video demo here: https://www.worldlabs.ai/blogStory 4: 3D-printed hydrogel enables continuous drug delivery via contact lensSource: MedicalXpress.com Story from University of WaterlooLink: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-11-3d-hydrogel-enables-drug-delivery.htmlSee also: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsabm.4c00901For more info, interviews, reviews, news, radio, podcasts, video, and more, check out ComputerAmerica.com!

Show Notes 6 December 2024Story 1: Columbia Engineers Knit a “Blanket” of Sophisticated Radio-Frequency AntennasSource: Electronicsforu.com Story by Akanksha GaurLink: https://www.electronicsforu.com/news/sophisticated-blanket-of-radio-frequency-antennasSee also: https://www.engineering.columbia.edu/about/news/columbia-engineers-knit-blanket-sophisticated-radio-frequency-antennasSee also: Flat‐Knit, Flexible, Textile Metasurfaces - Carter - 2024 - Advanced Materials - Wiley Online LibrarySee video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIb2evFmk3U&t=1sStory 2: Revolutionary New Material Harvests Water from Thin Air Without EnergySource: SciTechDaily Story by New York UniversityLink: https://scitechdaily.com/revolutionary-new-material-harvests-water-from-thin-air-without-energy/Story 3: Turning waste into fuel: Bourbon industry offers new path for renewable energySource: University of KentuckyLink: https://www.research.uky.edu/news/turning-waste-fuel-bourbon-industry-offers-new-path-renewable-energySee also: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479724019613Story 4: This ‘Morphing’ Wheel from South Korea Could Transform Lives and RobotsSource: WonderfulEngineering.com Story by Shaheer ShahzadLink: https://wonderfulengineering.com/this-morphing-wheel-from-south-korea-could-transform-lives-and-robots/See video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uodsxXLTBygFor more info, interviews, reviews, news, radio, podcasts, video, and more, check out ComputerAmerica.com!

Show Notes 29 November 2024Story 1: Bye bye microplastics new plastic is ocean degradable and recyclableSource: SpaceDaily.com Story by Riko SeiboLink: https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Bye_bye_microplastics_new_plastic_is_ocean_degradable_and_recyclable_999.htmlSee also: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/microplastics-crisis-solved-scientists-create-plastic-that-vanishes-in-seawater/ar-AA1uzaF7See also: https://phys.org/news/2024-11-durable-supramolecular-plastic-fully-ocean.html#google_vignetteStory 2: Hyundai’s Futuristic Hydrogen Battle Tank Is Fit for A Video GameSource: Carscoops.com Story by Brad AndersonLink: https://www.carscoops.com/2024/11/hyundais-next-gen-tank-is-fit-for-a-video-game-and-has-hydrogen-power/See video here: https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?&q=Hyundai%e2%80%99s+Futuristic+Hydrogen+Battle+Tank+Is+Fit+For+A+Video+Game&&mid=F20532E8ED0A95390883F20532E8ED0A95390883&&FORM=VRDGARStory 3: MIT researchers say nanoscale 3D transistors made from ultrathin semiconductor materials promise more efficient electronics; quantum mechanics offers a path beyond silicon limitsSource: TechRadar.com Story by Wayne WilliamsLink: https://www.techradar.com/pro/mit-researchers-say-nanoscale-3d-transistors-made-from-ultrathin-semiconductor-materials-promise-more-efficient-electronics-quantum-mechanics-offers-a-path-beyond-silicon-limitsSee also: https://news.mit.edu/2024/nanoscale-transistors-could-enable-more-efficient-electronics-1104Story 4: Liquid crystal glasses filter out epileptic-seizure-triggering light Source: New Atlas Story Michael IrvingLink: https://newatlas.com/medical-devices/epilepsy-seizure-light-filtering-glasses-liquid-crystal/For more info, interviews, reviews, news, radio, podcasts, video, and more, check out ComputerAmerica.com!

Show Notes 22 November 2024Story 1: Soft as skin, strong as steel: Powerful magnetic muscles lift 1000x their weightSource: Interesting Engineering Story by Mrigakshi DixitLink: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/soft-as-skin-strong-as-steel-powerful-magnetic-muscles-lift-1000x-their-weight/ar-AA1tRMVmStory 2: Novel electrochemical reactor can extract lithium from brine to address growing demand Source: TechXplore.com Story from Rice University announcementLink: https://techxplore.com/news/2024-11-electrochemical-reactor-lithium-brine-demand.html#google_vignetteSee also their research paper here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2410033121Story 3: New chemical process makes biodiesel production easier, less energy intensive - Discovery by UC Santa Cruz researchers could accelerate biofuel’s adoptionSource: UC Santa Cruz News Center Story by Jasmin GalvanLink: https://news.ucsc.edu/2024/11/biodiesel-easier-process.htmlFor a tutorial on Biodiesel Vs. Diesel: What's The Difference, see: https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/biodiesel-vs-diesel-what-s-the-difference/ar-BB1m2ylb?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=ENTPSP&cvid=4926c33f368e4ba8afdca6d9069698bb&ei=68Story 4: Scientists turn blood into bone-repairing superpower to fight injuries and  diseasesSource: Interesting Engineering Story by Mrigakshi Dixit Link: https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/other/scientists-turn-blood-into-bone-repairing-superpower-to-fight-injuries-diseases/ar-AA1u8dtI?ocid=BingNewsSerpFor more info, interviews, reviews, news, radio, podcasts, video, and more, check out ComputerAmerica.com!

Show Notes 15 November 2024Story 1: Researchers devise a unique upcycling use for old tires: Producing drinking water.Source: Anthropocene Magazine Story by the staffLink: https://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/2024/11/researchers-devise-a-unique-upcycling-use-for-old-tires-producing-drinking-water/See also: https://newatlas.com/environment/solar-still-old-tires-purifies-15-cups-water-per-day/See also: https://www.dal.ca/news/2024/10/31/saltwater-desalination-device.htmlStory 2: Half a pound of this powder can remove as much CO₂ from the air as a tree, scientists saySource: Los Angeles Times Story by Karen KaplanLink: https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2024-10-23/this-powder-can-remove-as-much-co2-from-the-air-as-a-treeSee also: https://news.berkeley.edu/2024/10/23/capturing-carbon-from-the-air-just-got-easier/Story 3: Hyundai Initium Hydrogen Concept Shows Where Design Is Headed Next - It’s powered by a hydrogen fuel cell that provides a maximum range of 404 miles.Source: InsideEVs.com Story by Andrei NedeleaLink: https://insideevs.com/news/739422/hyundai-initium-concept-design-language/See also: https://www.hydrogenfuelnews.com/hyundai-hydrogen-car-innovation/8567996/ Story 4: Bioprinter rapidly mimics tissues from brain to bone - Researchers at the University of Melbourne have developed a new 3D bioprinting technique that can rapidly create accurate analogues of virtually any human tissue. Source: TheEngineer.co.ukLink: https://www.theengineer.co.uk/content/news/bioprinter-rapidly-mimics-tissues-from-brain-to-bone For more info, interviews, reviews, news, radio, podcasts, video, and more, check out ComputerAmerica.com!