Science Daily August 22, 2018 According to the researchers at Johns Hopkins University disasters are inherently a Big Data challenge, the key question we face today is how we harness a growingly diverse and often chaotic wave of data and information. Big Data and ICT pose a serious challenge in disasters, but they also hold promise for potential solutions. The answer to leveraging the massive amounts of data that ICT is creating is likely to be found within the very same technologies driving the Information Age. But we must think creatively about adapting and adopting these technologies in emergency situations. […]
Bowtie-funnel combo best for conducting light; team found answer in simple equation
Phys.org August 24, 2018 An international team of researchers (USA – Vanderbilt University, IBM, France) developed a structure that’s part bowtie, part funnel that concentrates light powerfully and nearly indefinitely, as measured by a scanning near field optical microscope. Only 12 nanometers connect the points of the bowtie. What is special about their research is that the use of the bowtie shape concentrates the light so that a small amount of input light becomes highly amplified in a small region. We can potentially use that for low power manipulation of information on computer chips. Their approach opens the door to […]
Breaking down band structures
Nanowerk August 22, 2018 A systematic study of symmetry and topology in magnetic materials has been challenging given that there are 1651 magnetic space groups (MSGs). By using an efficient representation of allowed band structures, an international team of researchers (Japan, USA – Harvard University) obtained a systematic description of several basic properties of free electrons in all MSGs in three dimensions, as well as in the 528 magnetic layer groups relevant to two-dimensional magnetic materials. They computed constraints on electron fillings and band connectivity compatible with insulating behavior. Crystalline insulators and topological semimetals could be exploited to use the […]
Chemists make breakthrough on road to creating a rechargeable lithium-oxygen battery
Phy.org August 23, 2018 Two of the more serious issues with Lithium – Oxygen battery involve the cell chemistry of (superoxide, LiO2) and the peroxide product (Li2O2) reacting with the porous carbon cathode, degrading the cell from within. And the superoxide consumes the organic electrolyte in the process, which greatly limits the cycle life. Researchers in Canada switched the organic electrolyte to a more stable inorganic molten salt and the porous carbon cathode to a bifunctional metal oxide catalyst. By operating the battery at 150 C, they found that the more stable product Li2O is formed instead of Li2O2. This […]
China is still 10-20 years from matching US economy and 20-40 years from matching US military
Next Big Future August 23, 2018 According to The Pentagon’s annual report to Congress on China’s military and security developments even if China’s nominal GDP matches the US around 2030, China will still need longer to match the US military. China is building up regional advantages where it could win conflicts over Taiwan or the South China Sea, nuclear missiles are not prepped for launch, the overall number of Chinese ICBM launchers reported by DOD has remained stable since 2011: 50-75, China intends to use the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to develop strong economic ties with other countries, modernization […]
D-Wave demonstrates first large-scale quantum simulation of topological state of matter
Eurekalert August 22, 2018 Researchers in Canada demonstrated a large-scale quantum simulation of this phenomenon in a network of 1,800 in situ programmable superconducting niobium flux qubits whose pairwise couplings are arranged in a fully frustrated square-octagonal lattice. They observed the emergence of a complex order parameter with continuous rotational symmetry, and the onset of quasi-long-range order as the system approaches a critical temperature. According to the researchers the approach of using a quantum processor as a programmable magnetic lattice will find widespread use in the simulation and development of exotic materials…read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Enzyme can convert any blood into universally donated type O
Next Big Future August 22, 2018 Researchers in Canada have identified a new, more powerful group of enzymes found in the human gut that can turn any type of blood into the universally usable type O—expanding the pool of potential blood donors and making blood matching safer and easier. Removing antigens from blood effectively transforms it into type O. Scientists hope that one day we can eventually render any type of donated blood, tissues or organs, safe for use by anyone regardless of their native blood type…read more.
Future elections may be swayed by intelligent, weaponized chatbots
MIT Technology Review As we’ve created technical countermeasures that are better at detecting bot-like behavior, it’s become easier to shut them down. The next generation of bots is rapidly evolving. Admittedly, these conversational interfaces are still bumpy, but they’re getting better. The propaganda bots won’t declare themselves to be automated. They’ll present themselves as human users participating in online conversation in comment sections, group chats, and message boards. Contrary to popular belief, this isn’t happening. Most bots merely react to keywords that trigger a boilerplate response. As bots learn how to understand context and intent, they become more adept at engaging […]
Future information technologies: Nanoscale heat transport under the microscope
Science Daily August 21, 2018 An international team of researchers (Germany, USA – MIT, France) examined heat transport in a metallic-magnetic model system. Their model system consists of a nanometre-thin ferromagnetic nickel layer (12.4 nm) applied to a magnesium oxide substrate, with an even thinner layer of gold (5.6 nm) deposited over the nickel. They introduced heat locally into the model system. They found that the model system does not take the roughly one picosecond to reach thermal equilibrium as expected, but instead a hundred times longer. According to the researchers future data memories based on heat-assisted magnetic recording techniques […]
In 2019, China and Russia will start using floating nuclear reactors for oil and gas rigs and military bases
Next Big Future August 24, 2018 The ACPR100 and ACPR50S, are both with passive cooling for decay heat and 60-year design life. Both have standard type fuel assemblies and fuel enriched to less than 5% with burnable poison giving 30-month refueling. The ACPR100 is an integral PWR, 450 MWt, 140 MWe, having 69 fuel assemblies. It is designed as a module in larger plant and would be installed underground. The applications for these are similar to those for the ACP100. The offshore ACPR50S is 200 MWt, 60 MWe with 37 fuel assemblies and four external steam generators. It is designed […]