Innovation
Probabilistic computer It seems that quantum computers truly have a worthy rival – if not in computing power, at least in terms of technological readiness. After Japanese researchers developed a probabilistic computer using silicon technology, it was now the turn of Shuhan Yang and colleagues from the National University of Singapore, who not only presented their probabilistic hardware […]
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In brief: It’s hard to miss a drone. With their spinning propellers and often bulky bodies, they’re usually very easy to spot. But Northwestern University engineers have created one that’s much more difficult to see coming: Phantom Twist, a prototype that rotates so quickly it becomes little more than a blurry haze. Rather than using […]
Continue ReadingIt is a perfect tunnel for the sound that passes through the interior (horizontally, in this illustration), and completely invisible for sounds that reach it from the outside (illustrated vertically). (Image: Changqing Xu et al. – 10.1103/9y6g-42nm) Acoustic metamaterial A new acoustic metamaterial, an artificial material designed to manipulate sound waves, has created an unusual […]
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The Waze is considered by many drivers to be one of the best navigation apps available. In addition to indicating paths and calculating travel time, the platform allows users themselves to share information about accidents, road obstacles, congestion and police operations. Despite the features offered, the application does not yet have a function that is […]
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Metasurface solar panel Although still a relatively unknown technology to the public, it is difficult to overstate the impact of metamaterials and, more recently, metasurfaces, revolutionary artificial materials composed of nanostructures that can focus, deflect, twist, and even bend waves, especially electromagnetic waves such as radio and light waves. Progress is rapid, and soon programmable metasurfaces have emerged […]
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Curitiba will be the hub that connects startups, small businesses, investors, ecosystem leaders and institutions linked to innovative entrepreneurship on the 24th and 25th of July. The 11th edition of ConectaPR will be held at the Sebrae/PR headquarters, with the concept “Where meetings become action” and a program focused on generating business, exchanging knowledge and […]
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Copper circuit printed on paper using new copper ink technology. (Image: Maryland Engineering) Covers for everyone Copper is an exceptional metal, serving everything from making electrical conductive wires and building coverings to providing a protective coating for statues and coins. But copper is not perfect: Although much more slowly than most less noble metals, it […]
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Artificial medicinal leaf Plants efficiently convert light into energy through photosynthesis, a capability that scientists and engineers are striving to mimic using various approaches in attempts to develop so-called artificial photosynthesis. The main tool in this field is tiny metallic structures designed to absorb and concentrate light energy and generate the appropriate charge carriers, known as surface plasmons. […]
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Imagine getting into an air taxi and feeling every curve, rise or fall along the way. To prevent this scenario from driving away future users, the NASA is studying how to make these flights smoother and more comfortable. The agency used virtual reality simulators to understand how different aircraft movements affect passengers’ sensations and can […]
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Large urban centers face an invisible bottleneck caused by the exhaustion of traditional radio frequency bands. To solve this structural problem, engineers developed a hybrid system capable of transmitting data at ultra-high frequencies. The new technical approach combines advanced properties of electronics with photonics to achieve data transfer milestones that completely change the telecommunications landscape. […]
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