Science X Newsletter Wed, May 8

Dear manoj dole,

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

Technology news

	Video shows how swarms of miniature robots simultaneously clean up microplastics and microbes When old food packaging, discarded children's toys and other mismanaged plastic waste break down into microplastics, they become even harder to clean up from oceans and waterways. These tiny bits of plastic also attract bacteria, including those that cause disease.
	AI and holography bring 3D augmented reality to regular glasses Researchers in the emerging field of spatial computing have developed a prototype augmented reality headset that uses holographic imaging to overlay full-color, 3D moving images on the lenses of what would appear to be an ordinary pair of glasses. Unlike the bulky headsets of present-day augmented reality systems, the new approach delivers a visually satisfying 3D viewing experience in a compact, comfortable, and attractive form factor suitable for all-day wear.
	Chemists present roadmap to a carbon-neutral refinery by 2050 Would it be possible to build a refinery that is completely fossil-free, and thereby significantly contributing to a carbon-neutral society by as early as 2050? According to two chemists from Utrecht University it is. In a Nature article, they present a roadmap in which oil refineries could be reinvented to be completely fossil-free. Processes will be electrified if possible, and raw materials will change to CO2, agricultural and municipal waste. "We wanted to see what would be needed to make a fossil-free refinery and took that to the extreme."
	Flexible pseudocapacitor defies climate extremes, packs energy punch In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, the demand for reliable energy storage solutions has never been greater. With our reliance on electronic devices growing, especially in aviation, space exploration, and satellite operations, the need for energy storage that can withstand extreme temperatures is paramount.
	Teaching robots to move by sketching trajectories Getting robots to perform even a simple task requires a great deal of behind-the-scenes work. Part of the challenge is planning and executing movements, everything from turning wheels to lifting a robotic arm. To make this happen, roboticists collaborate with programmers to develop a set of trajectories—or pathways—that are clear of obstacles and doable for the robot.
	Lab's AI work results in increased revenue, decreased land requirements for wind power industry The wind industry could benefit from the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to design and deploy wind plants, according to an article in Nature Energy written by researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
	A low-energy process for high-performance solar cells could simplify the manufacturing process Finding reliable, eco-friendly power sources is crucial as our world grapples with increasing energy needs and the urgent call to combat climate change. Solar energy offers one solution, with scientists devising ever more efficient materials for capturing sunlight.
	Scientists determine disorder improves lithium-ion battery life What determines the cycle life of batteries? And, more importantly, how can we extend it? An international research team led by TU Delft has discovered that local disorder in the oxide cathode material increases the number of times Li-ion batteries can be charged and discharged. Their results have been published in Nature.
	A new, low-cost, high-efficiency photonic integrated circuit The rapid advancement in photonic integrated circuits (PICs), which combine multiple optical devices and functionalities on a single chip, has revolutionized optical communications and computing systems.
	New approach uses generative AI to imitate human motion An international group of researchers has created a new approach to imitating human motion by combining central pattern generators (CPGs) and deep reinforcement learning (DRL). The method not only imitates walking and running motions but also generates movements for frequencies where motion data is absent, enables smooth transition movements from walking to running, and allows for adaptation to environments with unstable surfaces.
	More and faster: Electricity from clean sources reaches 30% of global total Billions of people are using different kinds of energy each day and 2023 was a record-breaking year for renewable energy sources—ones that don't emit planet-warming pollutants like carbon dioxide and methane—according to a report published Wednesday by Ember, a think tank based in London.
	Japanese auto giant Toyota posts record net profit Toyota reported record annual net profit of more than $30 billion on Wednesday but the world's largest automaker by sales warned that the current year would be less spectacular.
	OpenAI unveils tool to detect DALL-E images OpenAI, the Microsoft-backed artificial intelligence company behind the popular image generator DALL-E, on Tuesday announced the launch of a new tool aimed at detecting whether digital images have been created by AI.
	Researchers identify cause of electron-hole separation in thin-film solar cells to increase solar cell efficiency A team of researchers have collaborated to characterize electron-hole separation in the light-absorbing layer of kesterite thin-film solar cells. This study is expected to improve the efficiency of solar cells and promote the use of green energy. The research is published in the journal Carbon Energy.
	Accelerating the practical application of next-gen batteries that are fire-resistant through dual-layer coating Professor Hongkyung Lee of DGIST's Energy Science and Engineering collaborated with Dr. Chanhoon Kim's Clean Energy Conversion Group at the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH) to introduce a stabilization technology for unstable battery systems through the adoption of a dual-layer coating method. The work is published in the Chemical Engineering Journal.
	Meta will let advertisers create campaigns using new generative AI tools Facebook and Instagram parent company Meta Platforms Inc. is testing new tools that will let advertisers create marketing material, including images and messaging, using generative AI prompts.
	Dove's latest 'Real Beauty' drive—and why AI will be harder to ditch than it thinks Beauty brand Dove recently announced it would not use models generated by artificial intelligence (AI) in its advertising campaigns. But is this really an anti-AI stance or merely the marketing of "inclusive" and "realistic" AI-generated images? In other words, is Dove attempting to shape the beauty ideals AI shows consumers, rather than ditching its use entirely?
	Q&A: How advanced chip packaging can help redesign the future of semiconductors The phrase "advanced chip packaging" might conjure images of a fancy Pringles can. For those who manufacture semiconductors—also known as integrated circuits, chips or microchips—it represents a new frontier, a race to design and mass produce the next generation of semiconductors that use less energy while delivering more computing power.
	Data privacy in the post-Roe era In 2022, when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade—ending the constitutional right to an abortion—privacy advocates warned women against using smartphone apps to track their periods.
	A view of a room with VR and AI for the field of interior design Bringing together virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) could lead to significant advancements in the field of interior design, according to research published in the International Journal of Information and Communication Technology.
	Tesla fires team expanding Supercharger network. Expert explains why it was a good move for Elon Musk—and consumers Last week, Tesla fired 500 employees responsible for expanding its Supercharger network.
	Research casts new light on bike safety in the age of self-driving cars Equipping self-driving cars with external displays that use colored lights to communicate their next maneuver could help keep cyclists safe on the roads of the future, researchers say.
	Gatekeepers of the internet: Why there's no such thing as 'free' internet Whether you're apping someone or scrolling through Instagram… all your online behavior is being monitored. In fact, others decide what you actually see. Ph.D. candidate Aleksandre Zardiashvili investigated the impact of online advertising and the power of the companies behind it.
	A dynamic projected turn signal for increased road safety In recent years, micro-optical projectors have become well established for automotive applications. These projectors enable cars to communicate with their surroundings.
	US's largest public utility ignores warnings in moving forward with new natural gas plant The nation's largest public utility is moving ahead with a plan for a new natural gas plant in Tennessee despite warnings that its environmental review of the project doesn't comply with federal law. The Tennessee Valley Authority announced in April that it would replace the aging coal-burning Kingston Fossil Plant with gas amid growing calls for the agency's new board of directors to invest in renewables.
	Global car giants seek tech allies in China's cutthroat EV market Struggling foreign automakers in China are looking for help from local tech giants to try to stay competitive in the world's biggest electric car market, where shiny smart screens, assisted driving and sophisticated map technology are in high demand.
	Samsung to buy French medical AI firm Sonio South Korean tech giant Samsung said Wednesday it will buy French artificial intelligence company Sonio to boost its cutting-edge medical diagnostic systems.
	EU queries X over cut to content moderation resources The EU on Wednesday told digital platform X to explain a cut to content moderation resources, amid concerns over disinformation ahead of European elections in June.
	BMW says EU probe into China EV subsidies against free trade The chief executive of German luxury carmaker BMW on Wednesday warned the European Union's investigation into Chinese electric car subsidies runs counter to free trade.
	Tackling climate change with social science Tackling the climate challenge is requiring everyone to change the way we think about our homes, our lifestyles, and our investments. Australians are embracing the energy transition, with rooftop solar now contributing 11.2% of Australia's electricity supply.

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