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Get hand-picked daily summaries of the best, most informative science and engineering articles from around the web. Browse recent summaries, then jump to the original source when you want the full article.

Latest story• Jan 10, 2025

New organic solar cells show supreme resilience in space radiation tests

Organic solar cells are emerging as a promising alternative for space applications. A University of Michigan study investigated their response to proton radiation. Small molecule-based cells showed high resistance, maintaining performance after simulated exposure. However, polymer-based cells experienced significant efficiency loss. Researchers discovered that gentle heating could potentially heal damaged cells,...

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Powerful ion beam to enrich ultra-pure silicon for quantum computing

A $3.2 million European project called EQUSPACE aims to develop silicon-based quantum computing solutions. Led by HZDR, the consortium is working on donor spin qubits, using sound waves and lasers to connect and read qubits, with...

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You can now get a Raspberry Pi 5 with 16GB RAM

The Raspberry Pi 5 now offers a 16GB RAM model for $120, doubling the previous maximum memory to accommodate AI workloads and third-party Linux distributions. Additionally, Raspberry Pi introduced Carbon Removal Credits for $4,...

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US plans to transform coal mine into nuclear power station with 500 MW capacity

A study by Purdue University researchers suggests that small modular reactors (SMRs) could replace coal plants at eight sites in Indiana, offering clean energy and economic benefits. The 500 MW SMR projects could create 2,000...

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Japan’s winged reusable small rocket plans to take off and land like airplane

Space Walker, a Japanese startup, aims to launch the Eco Rocket, Japan's first private spaceplane, by 2026. The company plans to use carbon-neutral biomethane propellant and a lightweight composite cryogenic tank to make space...

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Intuitive Machines set for second landing, looking to build a lunar economy

Intuitive Machines, a Houston-based company, has grown rapidly in five years, becoming a major player in lunar exploration. After successfully landing Odysseus on the Moon in February 2024, the company is preparing its second...

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This robot vacuum can pick up your socks

A revolutionary vacuum with a robotic arm is set to transform home cleaning. The device features a foldable five-axis OmniGrip arm capable of lifting objects up to 300g, allowing it to pick up socks, toys, and other small items...

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Gridware’s boxes literally listen to power lines to find outages

Gridware, founded by former lineman Tim Barat, has developed a device that listens for electrical problems on power lines. The company recently raised $26.4 million in Series A funding and currently monitors over 1,000 miles of...

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Cosmic rays could help reveal how tornadoes form

Muons, subatomic particles produced by cosmic rays, could potentially measure atmospheric pressure within tornadoes from a safe distance. Researchers propose using large detectors to capture muon excess caused by low-pressure...

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NASA has just two Mars Sample Return mission lander options left

NASA is weighing two options for the Mars Sample Return mission, with a decision expected by 2026: JPL's sky crane technology or a commercial vendor for Mars landing. The mission's budget has been cut to $5-7 billion, with a new...

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These Physicists Want to Ditch Dark Energy

A new study challenges the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of accelerating universe expansion, suggesting it may be a misinterpretation. Using a "timescape" model that accounts for varying matter distribution, researchers argue...

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Oldest North American dinosaur fossil discovered, dates back 230 million years

A 230-million-year-old dinosaur fossil named Ahvaytum bahndooiveche has been discovered in Wyoming, making it the oldest known dinosaur in North America. This chicken-sized creature pushes back the timeline for dinosaur presence...

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Japan's wooden satellite exits International Space Station

Japan launched LignoSat, a wooden satellite, from the International Space Station to test wood as a spacecraft material. The 10cm cubesat, made of honoki magnolia wood using traditional Japanese joinery, will study the material's...

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New lithium-sulfur battery charges fully in 12 minutes, lasts over 1,000 cycles

South Korean researchers have developed a nitrogen-doped porous carbon material to enhance lithium-sulfur battery charging speed. This breakthrough addresses slow charging issues that impeded commercialization. The new battery...

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‘World’s first’ ammonia-powered ship undergoes construction at HD Hyundai plant

HD Hyundai Mipo has started constructing the world's first ammonia-powered ship for EXMAR. The vessel will have a dual-fuel engine running on conventional marine fuels and ammonia, a carbon-free alternative, to reduce greenhouse...

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Enron Egg— the portable nuclear reactor everyone's talking about—is fake

The "Enron Egg," a fake micro nuclear reactor for home use, was exposed as a hoax after being promoted on a parody website imitating the defunct Enron Corporation. The elaborate prank, complete with a product launch video and...

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World's first wooden satellite, LignoSat, deployed in space

The world's first wooden satellite, LignoSat, has been deployed into Earth's orbit from the International Space Station. Made from honoki magnolia wood panels using traditional Japanese joinery, the 900-gram satellite will test...

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Rational or Not? This Basic Math Question Took Decades to Answer.

Mathematicians have developed a powerful new method for proving numbers are irrational, building on Roger Apéry's 1978 proof for ζ(3). The approach, created by Frank Calegari, Vesselin Dimitrov and Yunqing Tang, has proven the...

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World’s 1st full-windshield holographic display enhances navigation and safety

Hyundai Mobis introduced its Holographic Windshield Display (HWD) at CES 2025. This technology projects driving information onto the windshield, improving safety and navigation. It features private displays for driver and...

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Pluto-Charon formation scenario mimics Earth-Moon system

New research suggests Pluto and Charon formed through a collision similar to the Earth-Moon system, unlike other moons in our solar system. Advanced models show the bodies collided and stuck together like a "snowman" before...

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Nvidia CEO says his AI chips are improving faster than Moore’s Law

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang claims the company's AI chips are advancing faster than Moore's Law, with performance increasing 30x between generations. Huang asserts this rapid progress will drive down costs for AI inference,...

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TARDUST’s Robotic Hands

STARDUST unveiled groundbreaking robotic hands at CES 2025, setting a new standard for automation. These advanced AI-powered devices offer exceptional precision and multitasking capabilities. The innovative hands can perform...

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13-year-old girl’s 130-million-year-old dinosaur discovery identified as killer species

A 13-year-old girl discovered 130-million-year-old Grallator ssatoi dinosaur footprints in China's Gansu Province. Experts confirmed the well-preserved tracks belong to a bird-like theropod from the Cretaceous Period, revealing...

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Project Arielle is Razer's first temperature-controlled gaming chair

Razer unveiled Project Arielle, a gaming chair with built-in temperature control and RGB lighting. The chair uses a bladeless fan system to warm or cool the user, with a touchscreen control panel and the ability to change...

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