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Machine learning & AI

Scientists sound AI alarm after winning physics Nobel

British-Canadian Geoffrey Hinton and American John Hopfield won the Nobel physics prize on Tuesday for their pioneering work on the foundations of artificial intelligence, with both sounding the alarm over the technology ...

Robotics

Electricity-free circuit helps free up space for robots to 'think,' say scientists

Engineers have worked out how to give robots complex instructions without electricity for the first time, which could free up more space in the robotic 'brain' for them to 'think.'

Automotive

Expert suggests driver's test for autonomous vehicles in US

At a time of growing concern about the safety of self-driving vehicles, a leading expert is calling on the federal government to develop a national driver's test that such vehicles would have to pass before they could travel ...

Engineering

Solar-powered desalination system requires no extra batteries, could provide drinking water at low cost

MIT engineers have built a new desalination system that runs with the rhythms of the sun. The researchers report details of the new system in a paper appearing in Nature Water.

Hi Tech & Innovation

New apps aid blind people in navigating indoor spaces

Two new apps are set to assist blind individuals in navigating indoor spaces by providing spoken directions through a smartphone. This offers a safe solution for wayfinding in areas where GPS is ineffective.

Energy & Green Tech

Research highlights China's coal transition complexities

A new paper from the University of California San Diego details how China faces numerous political, economic and technological obstacles as it tries to transition away from coal—the country's primary energy source—while ...

Automotive

Will Tesla's robotaxi reveal live up to hype?

After years of talking up Tesla's prowess on autonomous driving, Elon Musk is set to host Thursday a much-hyped robotaxi event amid a mix of anticipation and skepticism.

Business

US industrial policy may strengthen EV battery supply chain

Vehicle electrification is an important pathway to reducing global greenhouse gas emissions. The supply chain for electric vehicle battery materials relies heavily on China, a dependency that can leave the US vulnerable to ...

Hardware

Using mushroom skin as a base for computer chips

A team of researchers at Johannes Kepler University has found that the skin of a certain kind of mushroom can be used as a biodegradable base for computer chips. In their paper published in the journal Science Advances, the ...

Engineering

Putting the brakes on lithium-ion batteries to prevent fires

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are used to power everything from smart watches to electric vehicles, thanks to the large amounts of energy they can store in small spaces. When overheated, however, they're prone to catching ...

Energy & Green Tech

Non-noble catalyst for hydrogen production

Hydrogen is a promising future fuel—especially if produced from water—but the necessary noble metal catalysts are rare, expensive, and have insufficient reserves. But now, in a study recently published in Advanced Materials, ...

Computer Sciences

Sometimes it's bad for AI to be too curious

It's a dilemma as old as time. Friday night has rolled around, and you're trying to pick a restaurant for dinner. (Assuming there's still reservations since you waited until the last minute to book). Anyways, should you go ...

Machine learning & AI

Scientists articulate new data standards for AI models

Aspiring bakers are frequently called upon to adapt award-winning recipes based on differing kitchen setups. Someone might use an eggbeater instead of a stand mixer to make prize-winning chocolate chip cookies, for instance.

Electronics & Semiconductors

Smarter sensor sniffs out target gases

A chemical sensor endowed with artificial intelligence can learn to detect certain gases in the air with high sensitivity and selectivity. The device, developed at KAUST, uses machine learning to differentiate the gases according ...