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Researchers at Tampere University found that complex light fields can cause tiny deformations when reflecting off flat surfaces, confirming a decade-old prediction and enabling material analysis through the movement of optical vortices in twisted light.
Global sand demand is increasing, driven largely by concrete production for construction. While not running out, sand extraction faces rising costs and environmental concerns. Manufactured sand from crushed rock and recycled...
The Department of Energy is providing a $1.52 billion loan to reopen the Palisades nuclear power plant in Michigan, which could be the first recommissioning of a retired nuclear plant in the US. The 800-megawatt plant aims to...
Earth is set to capture a temporary "mini-moon" - asteroid 2024 PT5 - from September 29 to November 25. The 37-foot wide asteroid, part of the Arjuna belt, will briefly orbit Earth before returning to its solar orbit, an event...
This cutting-edge silicon chip for terahertz communications splits signals into 54 beams, enabling blazing-fast data speeds of up to 72 Gbps—a game-changer for 6G networks that could make 4K movie downloads, holograms, and smart...
Serve Robotics and Wing Aviation are partnering to expand autonomous food delivery in Dallas. Serve's sidewalk robots will transport orders to Wing's AutoLoader stations, where drones will complete longer-distance deliveries....
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The GR-2, Fourier Intelligence's latest humanoid robot, boasts 53 degrees of freedom, double the battery life, and improved AI capabilities, giving developers better tools for machine vision, path planning, and force feedback...
Meta's Orion AR glasses prototype boasts cutting-edge AR and AI features, with plans for a consumer launch in late 2027 at $700, offering AI tools, virtual multitasking, and AR video chats in a sleeker, more stylish package.
Satellite messaging on smartphones is emerging as a crucial lifeline during disasters when traditional communication networks fail. iPhone 14 and later models offer free satellite emergency services for two years, while Android...
The Pentagon's Replicator 2 initiative will develop counter-drone technology for the Department of Defense. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced this plan in a memo to senior leaders, with funding to be requested in the...
Rethink Robotics relaunches with new collaborative robots, autonomous mobile robots, and a mobile manipulator. The robotics industry sees mixed trends, with North American robot sales declining 8% in the first half of 2024, while...
NASA has launched a $3 million prize challenge to find innovative solutions for managing waste on the Moon and in deep space habitats. The competition aims to develop sustainable methods for processing inorganic waste like food...
China has unveiled a new spacesuit for its planned 2030 lunar mission. The lightweight suit features advanced technology, including panoramic cameras and a chest-mounted control console. Designed for mobility in low gravity, it...
Physicists at the University of Toronto observed photons seemingly exiting a material before entering it, demonstrating negative time in quantum interactions. By shooting photons through ultracold rubidium atoms and measuring...
The US military faces a drone shortage due to banning Chinese-made components, compromising its ability to counter China. General Randy George reports diminished drone production, with units operating outdated equipment, as US...
Scientists have developed a new method to create more durable asphalt pavements resistant to cracking and rutting from temperature changes and heavy traffic. The approach uses a Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR) to test asphalt...
California's Attorney General has sued Exxon Mobil for misleading the public about "advanced recycling" of plastics. The lawsuit alleges that only 8% of plastic at Exxon's facility is remade into new material, while 92% is...
The UK's last coal power plant, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, is closing, ending over 140 years of coal use in the country's power system. This shift was driven by a combination of factors including the growth of renewables, pollution...
Saudi researchers have developed a gravity-powered cooling system for solar cells that requires no electricity. The device extracts water from air using cheap materials, potentially doubling water collection rates compared to...
SpaceX is investigating a Falcon 9 rocket upper stage malfunction that occurred after successfully launching the Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station. The stage reentered the atmosphere outside its planned disposal...
SpaceX's Starlink satellite Internet service has reached 4 million subscribers across 100+ countries. The service has grown rapidly, adding 1 million subscribers in just 4 months, with United Airlines planning to install Starlink...
Pooltool, a 3D billiards simulator for scientific and engineering use, boasts a robust API and thorough docs, aiming to be a go-to research tool while growing through community input and regular updates.
MIT engineers have developed Clio, a method enabling robots to make task-relevant decisions about their surroundings based on natural language descriptions. In experiments, Clio successfully identified and mapped only relevant...
Scientists at Northwestern University watched tiny water bubbles form in real-time using palladium, potentially paving the way for quick water production in dry areas on Earth and beyond, without needing harsh conditions.