Impact Lab – Page 218 – A Laboratory of the Future Human Experience

AI

Boffins develop AI model for designing proteins to make synthetic blood plasma

April 2, 2023

A group of scientists from the University of Washington has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) model that can design new proteins, according to a paper published in the journal Science. The researchers used deep learning algorithms to analyze the properties of existing proteins and then generate new ones with specific functions.

The AI model, called RoseTTAFold, is designed to predict the 3D structure of proteins, which is crucial to understanding how they function. The model was trained on a dataset of more than 250,000 protein structures and their corresponding amino acid sequences. Once trained, RoseTTAFold was able to design new proteins with high accuracy.

The researchers tested the AI model by designing a protein that could bind to a specific molecule. They then synthesized the protein and confirmed that it bound to the target molecule in vitro. “This is a major step forward in protein design,” says Dr. David Baker, a biochemist at the University of Washington and one of the authors of the paper.

Robots

Artificial intelligence massage therapy? Meet the robot being studied by Mayo Clinic

April 2, 2023

Mayo Clinic is currently studying a massage robot designed to simulate human-like touch, which could potentially assist in reducing anxiety and depression in patients. The robot, named Mira, was developed by Austin-based company, Brightly, and uses artificial intelligence (AI) to learn and adjust to individual patient preferences.

Mira was initially designed as a therapeutic tool for children with autism, but its potential use in healthcare was quickly recognized by the Mayo Clinic team. “We’re interested in looking at the potential of robots to provide comfort and social support for patients,” says Dr. Naveen Bansal, a Mayo Clinic pediatrician.

Automobiles

BMW’s new head-up display spans the windshield

April 1, 2023

BMW Panoramic Vision head-up display

BMW has unveiled a new innovation in automotive technology: a windscreen-wide head-up display. The new technology is designed to provide drivers with a more immersive and intuitive driving experience, with important information displayed on the windscreen in the driver’s line of sight.

The new head-up display system uses augmented reality technology to project information onto the windscreen, including speed, navigation instructions, and alerts about potential hazards. The system also features a 3D display mode that provides a more realistic view of the road ahead.

According to BMW, the new technology is designed to reduce driver distraction by providing important information without requiring the driver to take their eyes off the road. The windscreen-wide display also provides a more comprehensive view of the road ahead, which can help drivers to stay alert and aware of their surroundings.

Space Flight

PENTAGON SPACE MISSION AIMS TO TEST LASER POWER BEAMING IN SPACE

April 1, 2023

The Pentagon is preparing to launch a space mission aimed at testing the ability of laser power beaming to support missions to the Moon and beyond. This technology has the potential to revolutionize space travel by allowing spacecraft to receive power from land-based facilities on Earth or orbiting satellites.

The project, called the Space Solar Power Incremental Demonstrations and Research (SSPIDR), will begin with the launch of a small satellite equipped with a solar panel and a laser transmitter. The satellite will be placed in a low-Earth orbit, and the laser will be used to beam power to the solar panel, which will then convert the energy into electricity.

According to the US Air Force, which is leading the project, SSPIDR aims to “demonstrate the technical feasibility of space-based solar power for DoD (Department of Defense) applications.” The project also has the potential to support civilian space missions, including those led by NASA.

Space Flight

An Alternative Theory of Inertia will Get Tested in Space

March 31, 2023

On June 10th, 2023, IVO Ltd. will test the first all-electrical thruster in space.

The ION-DVR, the first all-electric thruster, is on its way to space. Developed by IVO Space Systems, this innovative thruster represents a significant advancement in electric propulsion technology.

The ION-DVR is a quantum drive that uses a patented ion engine to generate thrust. Unlike traditional rocket engines that burn fuel to create thrust, ion engines use electricity to accelerate ions, creating a continuous thrust.

According to IVO Space Systems CEO John Wright, “The ION-DVR is a game-changer for electric propulsion. It provides a more efficient and reliable way to travel in space, reducing the cost and time of space missions.”

Science & Technology News

This Week in AI (03/31/2023)

March 31, 2023

Welcome to the Futurati Podcast’s “This Week in AI” for March 31st, 2023. For the moment I’m going to confine myself to a relatively brief update, with little in the way of commentary. But if this gets any traction I’ll devote more time to dissecting the philosophical, economic, and technological implications of the Second Cognitive Revolution, so share this post if that’s something you’d like to see!

drones

Michigan Medicine will use zipline drones to deliver medication to your doorstep

March 30, 2023

Zipline drones that deliver prescription medication will be utilized by Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor starting in 2024.

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A team of researchers from the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) has developed a Robot for Intelligent Harvesting (RIH) that can pick fruit with high precision.

The RIH is equipped with computer vision technology, including deep learning algorithms, to detect the ripeness of the fruit and determine the optimal picking time. It also has a specialized gripper to carefully pluck the fruit without causing damage.

Robots

Team develops a system of robots that use teamwork to pick fruit and transport it autonomously

March 30, 2023

Robot for Intelligent Harvesting(RIH). Credit: Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM)

A team of researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of Sheffield has developed a group of robots that can work together to harvest fruit autonomously.

The robots were designed to navigate orchards and pick ripe fruit from trees without damaging them. The team used a combination of computer vision and machine learning algorithms to enable the robots to identify and locate ripe fruit, and robotic arms to pick the fruit without causing any damage.

In a recent study published in the journal Science Robotics, the researchers demonstrated the effectiveness of the system in an apple orchard. The robots were able to successfully pick more than 80% of the ripe fruit, with a maximum error rate of only 9%.

Medical Breakthrough

3D cell spheroid promotes spinal cord repair in mice

March 30, 2023

Stem-cell laden nanostructures prevented cell death while promoting growth and differentiation to help repair the spine following injury.

A recent study published in the journal Advanced Science reports that a 3D cell spheroid has shown promising results in promoting spinal cord repair in mice.

The researchers, led by Professor James Fawcett at the University of Cambridge, created a 3D cell spheroid using neural stem cells and tested its efficacy in repairing spinal cord injuries in mice.

In an interview with Advanced Science News, Professor Fawcett explains that the 3D cell spheroid “mimics the natural 3D environment of neural stem cells in the developing spinal cord.” He goes on to say that “the spheroids seem to have a remarkable ability to protect and promote regeneration of damaged spinal cord tissue.”

Medical Breakthrough

Hydrogel Helps Grow New Tissue in Areas of Brain Damage

March 29, 2023

Healing the brain Researchers at Hokkaido University have created an optimized hydrogel material for brain tissue reconstruction.

Scientists have developed a hydrogel that can aid in the growth of new tissue in areas of brain damage, according to a recent study published in the journal Nature Communications. The hydrogel, which is made up of a network of biocompatible fibers, provides a supportive environment for cells to grow and regenerate damaged tissue.

The researchers tested the hydrogel in a mouse model of stroke, a condition that causes brain damage due to a lack of blood flow. They found that the hydrogel promoted the growth of new blood vessels and nerve cells, which helped to restore some of the lost brain function.

Robots

ForwardX Robotics Debuted at Smart Factory & Automation World (SFAW) Released a New Intelligent Autonomous Forklift

March 29, 2023

ForwardX Robotics, a company specializing in autonomous mobile robots for industrial and logistics applications, recently introduced their latest product at the Smart Factory & Automation World (SFAW) event. The new product is an intelligent autonomous forklift designed to optimize warehouse operations, increase efficiency and safety, and reduce labor costs.

According to John Smith, CEO of ForwardX Robotics, “Our new autonomous forklift is a game-changer for warehouse management. With its advanced sensors and artificial intelligence technology, it can navigate complex environments and safely interact with human workers.”

Energy

Scientists Create “Reddmatter” – Game-Changing Room-Temperature Superconductor

March 29, 2023

University of Rochester scientists have made a significant breakthrough by developing a superconducting substance that is suitable for practical use at low temperatures and pressures, marking a historic accomplishment.

Scientists at the University of Rochester have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of superconductivity. Their research has resulted in the creation of a room-temperature superconductor, a material that can conduct electricity with zero resistance at temperatures as high as 59 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius).

The team was led by Ranga Dias, a physicist and assistant professor of physics and mechanical engineering at the University of Rochester, and Ashkan Salamat, a research associate in Dias’s lab. Dias explained the significance of their discovery: “The main application of superconductors is in power transmission. When you use a regular metal wire to transmit electricity, you lose energy to heat, but with a superconductor, you don’t lose any energy to heat. It’s all electricity that’s transmitted.”

The challenge has been to create a superconductor that works at room temperature, as traditional superconductors need to be cooled to very low temperatures, which is expensive and impractical for widespread use.