Science X Newsletter Mon, Apr 8

Dear manoj dole,

Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for April 8, 2024:

Technology news

	A scalable reinforcement learning–based framework to facilitate the teleoperation of humanoid robots The effective operation of robots from a distance, also known as teleoperation, could allow humans to complete a vast range of manual tasks remotely, including risky and complex procedures. Yet teleoperation could also be used to compile datasets of human motions, which could help to train humanoid robots on new tasks.
	A fusion SLAM system that enhances the sensing and localization capabilities of biped climbing robots Climbing robots could have many valuable real-world applications, ranging from the completion of maintenance tasks on roofs or other tall structures to the delivery of parcels or survival kits in locations that are difficult to access. To be successfully deployed in real-world settings, however, these robots should be able to effectively sense and map their surroundings, while also accurately predicting where they are located within mapped environments.
	Elon Musk says Tesla will unveil robotaxi in August Elon Musk revealed Friday that Tesla will pull back the curtain on a robotaxi this summer, news that comes as the adoption of self-driving vehicles hits speed bumps over safety concerns.
	This 3D printer can figure out how to print with an unknown material While 3D printing has exploded in popularity, many of the plastic materials these printers use to create objects cannot be easily recycled. While new sustainable materials are emerging for use in 3D printing, they remain difficult to adopt because 3D printer settings need to be adjusted for each material, a process generally done by hand.
	Protecting art and passwords with biochemistry Security experts fear Q-Day, the day when quantum computers become so powerful that they can crack today's passwords. Some experts estimate that this day will come within the next ten years. Password checks are based on cryptographic one-way functions, which calculate an output value from an input value. This makes it possible to check the validity of a password without transmitting the password itself: the one-way function converts the password into an output value that can then be used to check its validity in, say, online banking.
	The words you use matter, especially when you're engaging with ChatGPT Do you start your ChatGPT prompts with a friendly greeting? Have you asked for the output in a certain format? Should you offer a monetary tip for its service? Researchers interact with large language models (LLMs), such as ChatGPT, in many ways, including to label their data for machine learning tasks. There are few answers to how small changes to a prompt can affect the accuracy of these labels.
	Engineers design flexible 'skeletons' for soft, muscle-powered robots Our muscles are nature's perfect actuators—devices that turn energy into motion. For their size, muscle fibers are more powerful and precise than most synthetic actuators. They can even heal from damage and grow stronger with exercise.
	AI may develop a huge carbon footprint, but it could also be a critical ally in the fight against climate change Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) has been cast as a problem in the urgent, international effort to tackle climate change. As AI plays a greater role in our lives, it will need enormous amounts of computing power and data storage.
	Zap! California startup touts its new battery technology as a fast-charging 'universal adapter' Officials at a startup based in Carlsbad, California, expect a battery technology they have engineered will transform the way e-bikes and electric-powered hand-held tools are charged. And once it's scaled up, they believe the technology will reshape even more sectors of the economy.
	Meta asks US judge to toss blockbuster antitrust case Facebook giant Meta on Friday asked a federal judge to dismiss a case from a powerful US antitrust authority that could see the social media juggernaut forced to sell Instagram and WhatsApp.
	US nuclear industry upbeat on small reactors, despite setback Despite the recent cancellation of a next-generation US nuclear plant, backers of the carbon-free power source remain hopeful new projects will come on line by the end of the decade.
	AI vs humans: Influencers face competition from virtual models Social media influencers have embraced artificial intelligence to spice up their content but they are also facing growing competition from AI-generated Instagramers, TikTokers and YouTubers.
	New durability evaluation technique protects against solar variability for advancing green hydrogen production As green hydrogen gains attention as a future clean energy carrier, the question of which renewable energy to utilize as an energy source becomes increasingly important. Among them, solar energy has the advantage of being available everywhere on Earth, with low dependence on natural topography. However, fluctuations in solar output and generation due to factors such as season and weather lead to repetitive increases and decreases in power, posing a challenge of damaging components of production devices. Therefore, precise evaluation of the durability of devices under power fluctuations is crucial for determining the optimal timing for component replacement and developing new materials.
	Berkeley's backtrack on gas ban won't stop the electrification trend Berkeley's agreement to throw out its first-in-the-nation ban on gas hookups in new buildings after losing a court challenge might seem like a big loss for climate action.
	Brain-inspired computing may boil down to information transfer The biological brain, especially the human brain, is a desirable computing system that consumes little energy and runs at high efficiency. To build a computing system just as good, many neuromorphic scientists focus on designing hardware components intended to mimic the elusive learning mechanism of the brain.
	Novel robust-optimal controllers based on fuzzy descriptor system Nonlinear systems have applications in many diverse fields from robotics to economics. Unlike linear systems, the output is not proportional to the input is such systems. A classic example is the motion of a pendulum. Due to the inherent nature of nonlinear systems, their mathematical modeling and, consequently, control is difficult.
	Keeping power in the cycle: Tests confirm quality of purified graphite from used lithium-ion batteries Lithium-ion batteries have become an integral part of everyday life. The number of used batteries is correspondingly high. They contain considerable amounts of important raw materials such as graphite. Recycling this mineral for reuse in new batteries with the same performance is an important goal.
	Google hits pause on suburban Seattle campus Google has halted its plan to construct a fourth building for its Kirkland campus, according to a research report.
	Thermal camera senses breathing to improve exercise calorie estimates The estimates of calories burned made by smartphones, smartwatches and other wearable devices vary wildly. That's because these devices lack the sensors required to gather all the information they need to make accurate estimates.
	OpenAI's Sam Altman declared billionaire by Forbes Sam Altman, the CEO of ChatGPT creator OpenAI, has become a billionaire, Forbes said Monday.
	Why batteries come in so many sizes and shapes If you've looked in your utility drawer lately, you may have noticed the various shapes, sizes and types of batteries that power your electronic devices. First, there are the round, non-rechargeable button cells for your watches and small items. There's also the popular AA and AAA cylindrical batteries for calculators, clocks and remotes. Then you have the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries in your laptops and phones. And don't forget about the lead-acid battery in your car.
	Dali hit Key Bridge with the force of 66 heavy trucks at highway speed The cargo ship Dali knocked down three main truss spans, constructed with connected steel elements forming triangles, on the Francis Scott Key Bridge just seconds after crashing into one of the bridge piers early on Tuesday morning, March 26, 2024.
	Novel air-cooling pipeline embankment prevents permafrost thaw disasters for buried warm-oil pipelines During the operation of the China-Russia Crude Oil Pipeline (CRCOP), underground pipelines crossing permafrost regions often face challenges including frost heave, thaw settlement, and other permafrost disasters. In addition, the oil temperature of the CRCOP has been steadily increasing over the years. Therefore, effective mitigation of thaw settlement disasters caused by high oil temperature has become paramount for ensure the stable operation of the CRCOP.
	'Is this a deepfake?' Why we're asking the wrong question Over the past year, the prevalence and potential dangers of deepfakes have raised concerns related to personal privacy, business ethics and even election interference.
	Eye gaze and facial expression of robots are essential for interaction with humans, finds researcher With rapid developments in artificial intelligence and robot technology, social robots will increasingly be used in society. Robotics researcher Chinmaya Mishra looked at the importance of gaze direction and human emotions in our communication with robots and developed two systems to make robots' faces work in our favor. Mishra will receive his Ph.D. at Radboud University on 17 April.
	AI's mysterious 'black box' may not be so black One of the pioneers of Explainable AI has developed an advanced model that explains how and why AI works. The model opens up AI's mysterious "black box" and is available for virtually all AI systems.
	New four-terminal tandem organic solar cell achieves 16.94% power conversion efficiency Researchers at ICFO have fabricated a new four-terminal organic solar cell with a tandem configuration with a 16.94% power conversion efficiency (PCE). The new device is composed by a highly transparent front cell that incorporates a transparent ultrathin silver (Ag) electrode of only 7nm, which ensures its efficient operation.
	Eco-effective cooling: A step forward in sustainable refrigeration The Compression-Absorption Cascade Refrigeration Cycle (CACRC) system, merging Vapor-Compression Refrigeration (VCR) with Absorption Refrigeration Cycle (ARC), presents a promising answer to the pressing energy demands and environmental concerns associated with traditional cooling methods.
	New method for detecting unusual air turbulence holds promise for aviation safety With air turbulence presenting a significant safety concern in civil aviation, especially amidst the growing impacts of climate change and the expansion of the aviation industry, the need for effective monitoring and mitigation strategies has become paramount.
	Study shows renewable energy could partially replace diesel fuel to power instruments, provide heat at South Pole A recent analysis shows that renewable energy could be a viable alternative to diesel fuel for science at the South Pole. The analysis deeply explores the feasibility of replacing part of the energy production at the South Pole with renewable sources.
	Boeing CEO paid $33 mn in 2023, gave up bonus over MAX 9 incident Boeing's CEO received $33 million in compensation for 2023 but declined a potential $2.8 million bonus following the near-catastrophic Alaska Airlines incident in January, the company said Friday in a securities filing.
	Forecasting the future of science to keep Swiss diplomatic hub buzzing As technology and science advance at breakneck speed, a Swiss group is already looking beyond AI to the next big potential technological disrupters.
	Southwest Airlines delays departure of Boeing 737 due to engine fire A Southwest Airlines flight from Texas to Los Angeles was forced to abort during takeoff on Thursday due to an engine fire on a Boeing 737 aircraft, the latest problem incident on a Boeing jet.
	An engine cover on a Southwest Airlines plane rips off, forcing the flight to return to Denver A Southwest Airlines jet returned to Denver Sunday morning after the engine cover fell off and struck the wing flap during takeoff, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
	S. Korea probes Temu over alleged false ads, unfair practices: Yonhap South Korean regulators are investigating the hugely popular Chinese shopping app Temu on suspicion of false advertising and unfair practices, the Yonhap news agency reported Monday.
	Brazil judge orders probe of Musk over censorship charge A Supreme Court judge in Brazil ordered an investigation Sunday of Elon Musk after the mogul criticized the magistrate and accused him of censorship for blocking social media accounts suspected of spreading disinformation.
	Biden lands another big Taiwan chip investment The Taiwan chip giant TSMC has agreed to build a third semiconductor factory in Arizona, raising its total investment in the United States to $65 billion, US officials said Monday.
	Spirit to defer Airbus plane deliveries, furlough 260 pilots this year Spirit Airlines is deferring all aircraft on order from Airbus that were scheduled to be delivered in the second quarter of 2025 through the end of 2026, the discount carrier said Monday.
	Australians are open to self-driving vehicles, but want humans to retain ultimate control A mob set fire to a Waymo self-driving taxi in San Francisco last month as residents' anger about the cars boiled over.

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