What's New

Exploring phyto mining, where plants absorb metals like nickel from soil. US gov investing in using plants for sustainable mining to support renewable energy. Hyperaccumulator plants can efficiently extract nickel for green technology.

The podcast discusses the challenges and opportunities in electric vehicle battery recycling, exploring innovative processes and key industry players. It delves into different methods like pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy, highlighting initiatives like the Resell Center. The episode also covers sustainable battery development for net zero emissions, focusing on lithium ion phosphate and sodium ion batteries.

Explore the mysterious origins of Slack's haunting hold music, linked to a failed MMO game and the composer's unique relationship. Learn about the unintentional internet pioneers behind Slack, their surreal gaming world creations, and the quirky backstory of creating Slack sounds like alerts and bleeps. Delve into the phantom context behind the sounds, including improvised sax fills and glitchy DNA preservation.

Explore the innovative 'sponge city' concept transforming urban landscapes by prioritizing green spaces over concrete to manage stormwater effectively. Learn how cities worldwide are adopting this sustainable approach to combat climate challenges and enhance biodiversity, property values, and urban environments. Challenge conventional stormwater practices with green infrastructure for a more resilient and eco-friendly future

States across the US are introducing bills to ban lab-grown meat, sparking a culture war. The podcast explores the challenges faced by cultivated meat companies in various states, the legislative debates surrounding regulation, and the complexities of gaining approval for this innovative technology.

Regulators are struggling to hire AI experts due to low salaries compared to industry. The UK's AI Safety Institute aims to bridge the gap by offering unique benefits to attract top talent.

This podcast explores the challenges faced by older tech workers in a job market dominated by stereotypes and biased hiring practices, including instances of age discrimination in companies like IBM and a database startup. It delves into the importance of networking, differentiation, personal branding, and social media engagement for job seekers in the tech industry.

Learn about the alarming surge in wildfires threatening the Amazon rainforest, and the crucial role of the rainforest in global biodiversity and climate balance. Explore the impacts of climate change, deforestation, and extreme drought on the Amazon ecosystem, posing irreversible damage to both nature and communities.

The podcast discusses Covariant's experimentation with a chatbot controlling a robotic arm to improve physical world assistance. It delves into AI advancements allowing models to control hardware beyond their training, showcasing the potential impact on robotics. The exploration of data generation for training AI models in robotics and the challenges faced in tasks like warehouse operations are also highlighted.

Exploration of Europe's Digital Markets Act targeting tech giants like Apple, focusing on challenges with app restrictions. Implications on major tech companies like Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, Google, and ByteDance promoting competition in digital markets.