Lifeboat Foundation

Imagine tires that charge a vehicle as it drives, streetlights powered by the rumble of traffic, or skyscrapers that generate electricity as the buildings naturally sway and shudder.

These energy innovations could be possible thanks to researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developing environmentally friendly materials that produce electricity when compressed or exposed to vibrations.

In a recent study published in the journal Nature Communications, the team developed a polymer film infused with a special chalcogenide perovskite compound that produces electricity when squeezed or stressed, a phenomenon known as the piezoelectric effect. While other piezoelectric materials currently exist, this is one of the few high-performing ones that does not contain lead, making it an excellent candidate for use in machines, infrastructure as well as bio-medical applications.

In 2005, the futurist Ray Kurzweil predicted that by 2045, machines would become smarter than humans. He called this inflection point the “singularity,” and it struck a chord. Kurzweil, who’s been tracking artificial intelligence since 1963, gained a fanatical following, especially in Silicon Valley.

Now comes The Singularity is Nearer: When We Merge with A.I. where Kurzweil steps up the Singularity’s arrival timeline to 2029. “Algorithmic innovations and the emergence of big data have allowed AI to achieve startling breakthroughs sooner than expected,” reports Kurzweil. From winning at games like Jeopardy! and Go to driving automobiles, writing essays, passing bar exams, and diagnosing cancer, chunks of the Singularity are arriving daily, and there’s more good news just ahead.

Very soon, predicts Kurzweil, artificial general intelligence will be able to do anything a human can do, only better. Expect 3D printed clothing and houses by the end of this decade. Look for medical cures that will “add decades to human life spans” just ahead. “These are the most exciting and momentous years in all of history,” Kurzweil noted in an interview with Boston Globe science writer Brian Bergstein.

Tesla Inc. used humans to remotely control some capabilities of its Optimus robot prototypes at a recent event designed to generate investor enthusiasm for f…

Upgraded AMECA, one of the world’s most advanced AI robots, is now showing human-like emotions, sparking fascination and unease. A viral video features AMECA and her companion Azi in a humorous interaction, highlighting their advanced facial expressions and lifelike movements. As AI robots like AMECA evolve, their emotional capabilities are raising questions about the future of human-robot interactions.

🔍 Key Topics Covered:
Upgraded AMECA and Azi showcasing human-like emotions, creating fascinating yet unsettling moments.
The viral interaction between two AI robots and how their expressions blur the line between human and machine.
How advanced facial expressions and conversational abilities are pushing AI robots closer to mimicking human emotions.

Continue reading “Upgraded AMECA Shows Shocking Signs of Human Emotions” »

196K likes, — kallaway on October 10, 2024: This company lets you order sunlight from an app. Wild.

It’s like Uber Eats for the Sun.

The company is called Reflect Orbital.

Continue reading “Kallaway (@kallaway) • Instagram reel” »

Researchers from UCLA’s Institute for Carbon Management have developed a method that could eliminate nearly all of of the carbon dioxide emitted during the process of cement production, which accounts for about 8% of global atmospheric CO₂ emissions.

In a new study published in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, the researchers describe how the new approach could be easily incorporated into existing cement-production processes, providing a more affordable alternative to existing solutions to decarbonize the industry.

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For many years, scientists believed that fundamental particles like protons and neutrons that form an atomic nucleus, can’t be divided further into smaller units. However, in the following years, physicists discovered quarks and gluons.

While quarks are particles that combine to form protons and neutrons, gluons act like glue, binding the quarks together.

So far, scientists have been studying the atomic nucleus using two models. In the first model, at low energies like in most typical nuclear experiments, they describe the atomic nucleus in terms of protons and neutrons. This is the classic way of understanding the nucleus.

The European Commission adopted on Thursday the initial implementing rules on cybersecurity of critical entities and networks under the Directive on measures for a high common level of cybersecurity across the Union. The NIS2 Directive addresses cybersecurity risk management measures and cases in which an incident should be considered significant and companies providing digital infrastructures and services should report it to national authorities. The move is seen as another major step in boosting the cyber resilience of Europe’s critical digital infrastructure.

The implementing regulation will apply to specific categories of companies providing digital services, such as cloud computing service providers, data center service providers, online marketplaces, online search engines, and social networking platforms, to name a few. For each category of service providers, the implementing act also specifies when an incident is considered significant.

Adopting the implementing regulation coincides with the deadline for Member States to transpose the NIS2 Directive into national law. As of Oct. 18, 2024, all Member States must apply the measures necessary to comply with the NIS2 cybersecurity rules, including supervisory and enforcement measures. The implementing regulation will be published in the Official Journal in due course and enter into force 20 days thereafter.