A new heat-to-energy converter has achieved a record-breaking efficiency of 44%, significantly higher than the average steam turbine’s 35%. This innovative thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cell marks a significant advancement towards sustainable, grid-scale renewable energy storage.

As renewable energy prices plummet, the challenge lies in their intermittency. Critics often point out the variability of solar and wind power, asking, “What happens at night or when the wind isn’t blowing?” The solution lies in effective energy storage systems, which can bridge the gap during periods of low renewable energy generation. Traditional options include lithium-ion batteries and emerging technologies like iron-air, water-in-salt, and flow batteries. However, one of the most promising methods involves storing energy as heat.

A Swiss biocomputing startup, FinalSpark, has launched an innovative online platform called Neuroplatform, providing remote access to 16 human brain organoids. This groundbreaking service claims to be the world’s first online platform delivering access to biological neurons in vitro. Notably, FinalSpark states that bioprocessors like those used in Neuroplatform consume a million times less power than traditional digital processors, promising a significant reduction in the environmental impacts of computing.

FinalSpark asserts that its Neuroplatform is capable of learning and processing information. Its remarkably low power consumption could drastically cut the energy costs associated with computing. According to a recent research paper by FinalSpark, training a single large language model (LLM) like GPT-3 required approximately 10 GWh—around 6,000 times the annual energy consumption of an average European citizen. By deploying bioprocessors, such immense energy expenditure could be significantly reduced.

Having numerous glass surfaces in your home can make rooms feel bright and open, but they often bring in too much heat and expose you to prying eyes. A groundbreaking new metamaterial offers a solution by enhancing transparency, ensuring privacy, cooling interiors, and even cleaning itself. This innovation is known as the Polymer-based Micro-photonic Multi-functional Metamaterial (PMMM).

PMMM is a thin film that can be easily applied to standard glass. Its unique properties stem from the microscopic pyramid patterns etched on its surface, each just 10 microns wide. These tiny pyramids scatter 73% of incoming light, giving the material a frosted appearance while still allowing 95% light transmittance, compared to the 91% typical of regular glass. This feature ensures a brighter, more comfortable environment for both people and plants.