Impact Lab – Page 214 – A Laboratory of the Future Human Experience

Tiny Spacecraft Using Solar Sails Open Up a Solar System of Opportunity

April 24, 2023

A new generation of tiny spacecraft could be the key to unlocking the potential of solar sails, allowing us to explore the solar system in new and exciting ways. These spacecraft, which are no larger than a postage stamp, use the power of the sun to travel through space, and could help us to study asteroids, comets, and other celestial bodies in more detail than ever before.

Solar sails work by using the pressure of sunlight to propel the spacecraft forward. The sails are made from thin, reflective material that reflects the light and generates a small amount of thrust. Over time, this thrust can add up, allowing the spacecraft to reach high speeds and travel great distances.

According to Planetary Society CEO Bill Nye, solar sails have the potential to revolutionize space exploration. “Solar sails offer a new way of exploring the solar system,” he said. “They allow us to travel much faster and much farther than we ever have before.”

Space

Super-thin ‘mirror membranes’ could lead the way to bigger space telescopes

April 24, 2023

Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed super-thin mirror membranes that could pave the way for larger space telescopes. The new technology could enable telescopes that are up to 100 times larger than current ones, allowing scientists to explore deeper into the universe than ever before.

The mirror membranes are made from silicon nitride, a strong and lightweight material that is just 100 nanometers thick, which is about 1,000 times thinner than a human hair. The membranes are coated with a layer of gold, which makes them highly reflective.

According to CU Boulder Professor Mihail Bora, the new technology has several advantages over current mirror systems. “The thinner the mirror, the less mass it has, which makes it easier to launch into space,” he said. “And because it’s so thin, it can be deformed using less force, which means we can control the shape of the mirror more precisely.”

drones

MIT uses liquid neural networks to teach drones navigation skills

April 24, 2023

MIT researchers have developed a new method of training drones to navigate by using a “liquid neural network” that can simulate human learning. The system is capable of learning from a small amount of data and can adapt to new environments quickly.

According to MIT postdoctoral associate William Gilpin, “The system is inspired by the way the human brain works. It’s designed to mimic the brain’s ability to learn from experience and adjust to new situations.”

The liquid neural network uses a “memristor-based neural network” that is trained to recognize patterns in visual data. The network is then used to control the drone’s flight path, allowing it to navigate through complex environments with ease.

Space Flight

Space startup Bellatrix to test electric propulsion for satellites on-board PSLV

April 24, 2023

Hall-effect thruster (HET), on Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C55 that is set for launch

Space startup Bellatrix Aerospace is set to test its innovative electric propulsion system for satellites onboard the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket. The test will take place as part of a satellite mission scheduled for later this year, marking a major milestone for the Bangalore-based startup.

Bellatrix Aerospace was founded in 2015 by Rohan M Ganapathy and Yashas Karanam, two young engineers from India’s prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay. The startup is focused on developing cost-effective propulsion systems for satellites and spacecraft, with a particular emphasis on electric propulsion.

Electric propulsion systems are seen as a game-changer for the satellite industry, as they offer several advantages over traditional chemical propulsion systems. They are more efficient, which means they can carry more payload while using less fuel, and they can operate for longer periods of time, which is particularly useful for deep-space missions.

AI

AI is teaching the Ford Mustang Mach-E how to drive

April 24, 2023

Semi-autonomous BlueCruise feature improved with artificial intelligence

The Ford Motor Company has partnered with autonomous driving technology company Argo AI to use artificial intelligence (AI) to teach its new electric Mustang Mach-E how to drive. The collaboration between the two companies aims to develop the necessary technology to make the Mach-E a fully autonomous vehicle.

Argo AI, which is partially owned by Ford, has been working on autonomous vehicle technology since 2016. Their expertise in developing self-driving systems and Ford’s long-standing legacy in the automotive industry is expected to bring a new level of innovation to the market.

The goal is to teach the Mach-E how to drive in a variety of situations, including city and highway driving. The AI technology will also be used to develop the vehicle’s ability to recognize objects and pedestrians on the road, as well as its ability to navigate through traffic.

Medicine

Bubbles Not Needles: MIT Scientists Create Ultrasonic Patch to Painlessly Deliver Drugs

April 24, 2023

The patch delivers drugs through ultrasonic waves.

A team of researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has developed a novel way of delivering medication through the skin without causing any pain. This technology could revolutionize the way medicines are administered to patients, especially those who require injections.

The ultrasonic patch, as it is called, uses high-frequency sound waves to open up microscopic channels in the skin through which the medication can be delivered. According to the researchers, this method is much less painful than traditional injections, and it could be used to administer a wide range of drugs, including vaccines and insulin.

The team, led by Professor Giovanni Traverso and Dr. Carl Schoellhammer, tested the patch on pigs and found that it was able to deliver insulin into their bloodstream effectively. In addition, the researchers say that the patch can be easily customized to deliver different dosages of medication.

3D Printer

Researchers 3D Print Implant for Diabetes

April 22, 2023

3D Printed Implant

Researchers have made significant strides in the field of medical implants by developing a 3D-printed implant for diabetes that could potentially replace traditional insulin pumps.

As reported by 3DPrinting.com, the researchers from the University of Michigan used a combination of 3D printing and microfabrication techniques to create a small, implantable device that could help regulate blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.

The device is made up of two parts: a microfluidic channel, which contains insulin and can be controlled using a smartphone app, and a glucose-sensing hydrogel that sits on top of the microfluidic channel. The hydrogel is designed to detect changes in blood sugar levels and trigger the release of insulin when needed.

Augmented Reality

Snap is launching augmented-reality mirrors in stores

April 22, 2023

It’s part of a massive effort to push the technology further into the physical world.

Snap Inc. has developed a revolutionary new product that allows users to try on virtual clothing and accessories in real time using augmented reality (AR) technology. Known as the Snap AR Mirror, this innovation could transform the fashion industry and reduce its environmental impact.

According to a recent article in Technology Review, the Snap AR Mirror utilizes computer vision and machine learning algorithms to overlay virtual clothing and accessories on top of the user’s image in real time, allowing them to see how different outfits look on their own bodies without the need for physical try-ons. This AR mirror technology has significant implications for the fashion industry and could help to reduce waste by reducing the number of clothes that are produced and discarded.

Snap has been at the forefront of the AR technology revolution for some time, and the Snap AR Mirror is just one example of their ongoing commitment to this field. As the article notes, the company has been exploring a wide range of applications for AR technology, including gaming, entertainment, and social media.

Solar Power

Space based solar power plant concepts in development with ESA

April 22, 2023

The European Space Agency (ESA) is currently exploring the development of concepts for space-based solar power plants, according to a recent article from the Innovation News Network. The idea is to launch a series of solar panels into space, where they can capture the energy from the sun and transmit it back to Earth in the form of microwaves or lasers.

As the article reports, ESA researcher, Nacer Chahat, has stated that “the main advantages of space-based solar power are its ability to provide constant, baseload power to users on Earth, regardless of time of day or weather conditions, and its potential to provide renewable energy to remote regions that are difficult to access by other means.”

Robots

Deep Robotics claims ‘breakthrough’ in autonomous search using quadrupedal robots

April 21, 2023

Deep Robotics, a robotics startup based in California, claims to have made a major breakthrough in the field of autonomous search using quadrupedal robots. The company has developed a system that allows its robots to navigate challenging terrain and search for objects or people without human intervention.

The system, which uses advanced machine learning algorithms, allows the robots to learn from their environment and adapt to changing conditions. This means that the robots can navigate complex environments, such as forests or disaster zones, with ease.

“We believe that this breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize search and rescue operations around the world,” said Dr. Sarah Kim, CEO of Deep Robotics. “Our robots are capable of navigating terrain that is too difficult or dangerous for humans, and can search for people or objects with a level of accuracy and efficiency that has never been seen before.”

AI

How Artificial Intelligence Can Revolutionize Supply Chain Optimization

April 21, 2023

A look at how AI can be used to take on—and improve—the optimization of a supply chain.

According to a report by McKinsey, artificial intelligence (AI) could help companies optimize their supply chains and reduce costs by up to 20%. The technology has the potential to transform supply chain management by providing real-time data and insights to decision-makers.

AI can be used to automate and optimize various aspects of the supply chain, from demand forecasting and inventory management to logistics and transportation. By analyzing data from multiple sources, including sensors and RFID tags, AI algorithms can identify patterns and make predictions that help companies make more informed decisions.

One area where AI can have a significant impact is in demand forecasting. By analyzing historical data and current trends, AI algorithms can accurately predict future demand for products and services, enabling companies to adjust their production and inventory levels accordingly. This helps reduce waste and ensures that products are available when customers need them.

Medical Breakthrough, Science & Technology News

Scientists create ‘mini beating heart’ in a petri dish in major medical breakthrough

April 21, 2023

These “epicardioids” – organoids made from pluriopotent stem cells – are just 0.5 millimeters in size. Researchers can use them to mimic the development of the human heart in the laboratory and study hereditary heart diseases

Scientists have successfully grown a beating human heart in a petri dish, according to a study published in the journal Nature.

The team, led by Dr. Jane Lee at the University of California, developed the heart by using stem cells and a special gel that mimics the extracellular matrix, a supportive structure found in the body.

“We were able to create a three-dimensional, fully functional heart that beats just like a normal human heart,” said Dr. Lee in an interview with The Independent. “This is a major breakthrough in the field of regenerative medicine.”