Editorial

Esta é a Newsletter Nº 381 que se apresenta com o mesmo formato que as anteriores. Se gostar da Newsletter partilhe-a!

Todas as Newsletters encontram-se indexadas no link.

Esta Newsletter tem os seguintes tópicos:

• Novidades da Semana
• Ciência e Tecnologia
• Documentação
• Projetos Maker
• Secção Videos

Faz hoje anos que nascia, em 1685, o matemático britânico Brook Taylor. Ele ficou conhecido pela série Taylor, um método para expandir funções em séries infinitas. Em 1708, Taylor produziu uma solução para o problema do centro de oscilação. O seu Methodus incrementorum directa et inversa ("Direct and Indirect Methods of Incrementation", 1715) introduziu o que agora se chama o cálculo das diferenças finitas. Usando isto, foi o primeiro a expressar matematicamente o movimento de uma corda vibratória com base em princípios mecânicos. Methodus também continha o teorema de Taylor, mais tarde reconhecido (1772) por Joseph Lagrange como a base do cálculo diferencial. Artista dotado, Taylor também escreveu sobre princípios básicos de perspectiva (1715), contendo o primeiro tratamento geral do princípio dos pontos de fuga.

Por fim, faz hoje anos que nascia, em 1897, o engenheiro ucrano-americano Bern Dibner. Ele trabalhou como engenheiro durante a electrificação de Cuba. Percebendo a necessidade de melhores métodos de ligação de condutores eléctricos, em 1924, fundou a Burndy Engineering Company. Alguns anos mais tarde, interessou-se pela história da ciência renascentista. Posteriormente, começou a coleccionar livros e tudo o que encontrou que estivesse relacionado com a história da ciência. Esta tornou-se uma segunda carreira como erudito que iria decorrer paralelamente à sua vida como homem de negócios. Escreveu muitos livros e panfletos, sobre tópicos desde o transporte de obeliscos antigos, até às biografias autorizadas de muitos pioneiros científicos, incluindo Alessandro Volta, inventor da bateria eléctrica, e Wilhelm Röntgen, descobridor do raio X.

Na Newsletter desta semana apresentamos diversas noticias, artigos científicos, projetos de maker e alguns vídeos interessantes. É apresentada a revista Hackspace Magazine nº58 de Setembro.

João Alves ([email protected])

O conteúdo da Newsletter encontra-se sob a licença Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

NASA Awards Next-Generation Spaceflight Computing Processor Contract

"The processor promises a game-changing computer platform to enable more robust and efficient autonomous capabilities for future lunar and planetary exploration missions. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California has selected Microchip Technology Inc. of Chandler, Arizona, to develop a High-Performance Spaceflight Computing (HPSC) processor that will provide at least 100 times the computational capacity of current spaceflight computers. This key capability would advance all types of future space missions, from planetary exploration to lunar and Mars surface missions. “This cutting-edge spaceflight processor will have a tremendous impact on our future space missions and even technologies here on Earth,” said Niki Werkheiser, director of technology maturation within the Space Technology Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “This effort will amplify existing spacecraft capabilities and enable new ones and could ultimately be used by virtually every future space mission, all benefiting from more capable flight computing.” Microchip will architect, design, and deliver the HPSC processor over three years, with the goal of employing the processor on future lunar and planetary exploration missions. Microchip’s processor architecture will significantly improve the overall computing efficiency for these missions by enabling computing power to be scalable, based on mission needs." [...]

Startup’s Vision AI Software Trains Itself — in One Hour — to Detect Manufacturing Defects in Real Time

"Cameras have been deployed in factories for over a decade — so why, Franz Tschimben wondered, hasn’t automated visual inspection yet become the worldwide standard? This question motivated Tschimben and his colleagues to found Covision Quality, an AI-based visual-inspection software startup that uses NVIDIA technology to transform end-of-line defect detection for the manufacturing industry. “The simple answer is that these systems are hard to scale,” said Tschimben, the northern Italy-based company’s CEO. “Material defects, like burrs, holes or scratches, have varying geometric shapes and colors that make identifying them cumbersome. That meant quality-control specialists had to program inspection systems by hand to fine-tune their defect parameters.” Covision’s software allows users to train AI models for visual inspection without needing to code. It quadruples accuracy for defect detection and reduces false-negative rates by up to 90% compared with traditional rule-based methods, according to Tschimben." [...]

Radiation-Tolerant (RT) PolarFire® FPGA Achieves MIL-STD-883 Class B Qualification, Paving the Way for Power-Saving, High-Speed Processing in Space

"This major step toward QML Class Q and Class V spaceflight qualification enables system integration using Microchip’s RT PolarFire® FPGAs, leveraging their power and radiation advantages over SRAM-based FPGA alternatives. Spaceflight system developers often commit to designing with new components only after they have received MIL-STD-883 Class B qualification and are in the process of meeting the Qualified Manufacturers List (QML) Class Q and Class V standards for spaceflight component reliability. Microchip Technology Inc. (Nasdaq: MCHP) has now achieved the first qualification milestone with its RT PolarFire® FPGA, enabling designers to begin assembling spaceflight systems that take advantage of this FPGA's superior computing and connectivity throughput and its significantly lower power consumption and immunity to configuration Single Event Upsets (SEUs) compared to SRAM-based FPGAs. “Microchip is a QML-certified manufacturer of high-reliability FPGAs for space applications and has attained the highest available Class V qualification multiple times on FPGAs and other integrated circuits,” said Shakeel Peera, vice president of marketing for Microchip’s FPGA business unit. “This MIL-STD-883 class B qualification is yet another big step toward solving some of spaceflight’s most difficult system challenges, including reducing satellite signal processing congestion with much lower power consumption and greater reliability than is possible using alternative FPGA solutions. We have started the final step of qualifying our RT PolarFire FPGAs to both QML Class Q and Class V requirements.” To achieve MIL-STD-883 Class B qualification, RT PolarFire FPGAs passed a series of environmental tests to determine resistance to the harmful effects of natural elements, the conditions of defense and space operations and mechanical and electrical tests." [...]

Nordic Semiconductor announces its first Wi-Fi chip, the dual-band Wi-Fi 6 nRF7002

"Expansion into Wi-Fi means Nordic’s ultra-low-power wireless IoT product range now covers Bluetooth, cellular IoT and Wi-Fi Nordic Semiconductor today announces its entry into the Wi-Fi® wireless IoT market with the introduction of the nRF7002, an ultra-low power, dual-band Wi-Fi 6 companion IC. The launch makes Nordic Semiconductor one of the few companies in the world to offer all three of the world’s most popular wireless IoT technologies: Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, and cellular IoT. The nRF7002 is described as a ‘companion IC’ which means it is designed to provide seamless Wi-Fi connectivity and Wi-Fi-based locationing (SSID sniffing of local Wi-Fi hubs) when used alongside Nordic’s existing products. These include the nRF52® and nRF53® Series multiprotocol Systems-on-Chip (SoCs), and nRF91® Series cellular IoT Systems-in-Package (SiPs). The nRF7002 can also be used in conjunction with non-Nordic host devices. The launch of the nRF7002 follows Nordic’s 2020 acquisition of the development team, core Wi-Fi expertise, and Wi-Fi IP tech assets of Imagination Technologies Group." [...]

MediaTek Unveils T830 Platform for 5G CPE Devices Including Fixed Wireless Access Routers and Mobile Hotspots

"Highly integrated, super power-efficient, 4nm platform supports 5G speeds up to 7Gbps on sub-6GHz networks. MediaTek today announced the latest addition to its 5G portfolio, the T830 platform for 5G fixed wireless access (FWA) routers and mobile hotspot customer-premise equipment (CPE). The T830 is built with MediaTek’s M80 modem which supports advanced Release 16 capabilities for sub-6GHz band operations, making the platform ideal for 5G networks around the globe. For device manufacturers, the T830’s highly integrated, compact design provides big power savings and reduces development time and costs. The T830 makes it possible for operators to deliver 5G speeds up to 7Gbps right out of the box using sub-6GHz cellular infrastructure to avoid the costs of wireline technologies such as cable or fiber. Additionally, consumers can enjoy super-fast internet services from a small device that they can self-install, avoiding the hassles of lengthy installation times for fixed line broadband." [...]

Voyager, NASA’s Longest-Lived Mission, Logs 45 Years in Space

"Launched in 1977, the twin Voyager probes are NASA’s longest-operating mission and the only spacecraft ever to explore interstellar space. NASA’s twin Voyager probes have become, in some ways, time capsules of their era: They each carry an eight-track tape player for recording data, they have about 3 million times less memory than modern cellphones, and they transmit data about 38,000 times slower than a 5G internet connection. Yet the Voyagers remain on the cutting edge of space exploration. Managed and operated by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, they are the only probes to ever explore interstellar space – the galactic ocean that our Sun and its planets travel through. The Sun and the planets reside in the heliosphere, a protective bubble created by the Sun’s magnetic field and the outward flow of solar wind (charged particles from the Sun). Researchers – some of them younger than the two distant spacecraft – are combining Voyager’s observations with data from newer missions to get a more complete picture of our Sun and how the heliosphere interacts with interstellar space." [...]

Open Source RISC-V Is Rolling Towards the Mainstream

"The last year or so was already a wild ride for the open source instruction set architecture RISC-V, then Intel stepped in, took a top tier membership, a seat on the board, pledged to spend a billion dollars on the architecture, and began partnering with key RISC-V vendors. RISC-V, the open-source reduced instruction set architecture that’s used for everything from accelerators and microcontrollers to CPUs and GPUs, continues to be on an accelerating roll (no pun intended). When I asked Calista Redmond, CEO of RISC-V International, the nonprofit foundation in charge of the project, to put the current state of RISC-V into a single word, she didn’t hesitate. “Velocity,” she answered. She said that RISC-V’s pace of growth during the last 12 months was already increasing exponentially, when in February the unthinkable happened: the world’s largest chipmaker, Intel, got on board and not only signed up as a top tier premier member (and took a seat on the foundation’s board), it gave weight to its commitment by immediately entering into partnerships with five top RISC-V vendors, and pledged to invest $1 billion in the architecture. Intel and RISC-V Redmond called that “perhaps one of the biggest moments in RISC-V history,” and compared it to IBM’s famous billion dollar investment in Linux in 2001, which quickly led to Linux’s dominance in data centers, at the expense of Windows and proprietary Unixes." [...]

New method develops mathematical understanding

"Children who develop a deeper understanding of numbers at preschool age become better at mathematics than those who learn to count forwards and backwards one step at a time. This is the finding of research carried out at the University of Gothenburg, which has also tested different methods for teaching mathematics. The most common way for children to learn mathematics is by using the number sequence and counting forwards and backwards one step at a time. For example, to add six and two, they start at six and count up on their fingers to seven and then eight. However, this method of counting only works for simple tasks. More advanced calculations require a deeper understanding." [...]

The mysteries of cosmic dust

"Researchers of the ETH Zurich and the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) PlanetS have closely analysed the characteristics of cosmic dust based on laboratory experiments and measurement data collected by space missions. Their results reveal fundamental gaps in the knowledge about this material that is vital for our understanding of galaxies and planetary systems. Elemental cosmic building material Before the Earth and the Sun existed, their constituents were part of a vast cloud of gas and dust. A so-​called interstellar molecular cloud that at one point collapsed under its own gravity, thus initiating the process that gave rise to the Solar System. astronomy has come a long way in unravelling the mysteries of the planets and star within our system and many beyond it, surprisingly little is known about the cosmic dust from which they all emerged. By combining in-​situ measurements in space, as well as laboratory experiments, a team of researchers led by the ETH Zurich and the National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) PlanetS have been able to analyse and learn more about this cosmic building material from the diffuse interstellar cloud within our cosmic neighbourhood." [...]

Complex patterns: building a bridge from the large to the small

"A new theory enables the simulation of complex pattern formation in biological systems across different spatial and temporal scales. For many processes important for life such as cell division, cell migration, and the development of organs, the spatially and temporally correct formation of biological patterns is essential. To understand these processes, the principal task consists not in explaining how patterns form out of a homogeneous initial condition, but in explaining how simple patterns change into increasingly complex ones. Illuminating the mechanisms of this complex self-organization on various spatial and temporal scales is a key challenge for science. So-called “coarse-graining” techniques allow such multiscale systems to be simplified, such that they can be described with a reduced model at large length and time scales. “The price you pay for coarse-graining, however, is that important information about the patterns on small scales – like the pattern type – is lost." [...]

Resilient robots

"Resilient robot teams juggle competing priorities without deadlock A robot, or a group of robots, on a mission often have conflicting priorities. The primary mission of a team of search and rescue robots, for example, is to find survivors. But when they do, they also need to be able to send information to the rest of the team. The best way to find survivors may be to spread out, but the best way to send information is to stay close together. If robotic teams are going to be deployed in more real-world situations, they’re going to need a system to balance these priorities. Computer scientists at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) have developed a new control mechanism for robotic teams that allow them to automatically calculate the tradeoffs of maintaining a resilient communication network and achieving their primary goal of moving through an environment." [...]

Engineers fabricate a chip-free, wireless electronic “skin”

"The device senses and wirelessly transmits signals related to pulse, sweat, and ultraviolet exposure, without bulky chips or batteries. Wearable sensors are ubiquitous thanks to wireless technology that enables a person’s glucose concentrations, blood pressure, heart rate, and activity levels to be transmitted seamlessly from sensor to smartphone for further analysis. Most wireless sensors today communicate via embedded Bluetooth chips that are themselves powered by small batteries. But these conventional chips and power sources will likely be too bulky for next-generation sensors, which are taking on smaller, thinner, more flexible forms. Now MIT engineers have devised a new kind of wearable sensor that communicates wirelessly without requiring onboard chips or batteries. Their design, detailed today in the journal Science, opens a path toward chip-free wireless sensors." [...]

Quantum annealing can beat classical computing in limited cases

"Under most conditions, according to a new proof, algorithms on a quantum annealing computer don't offer quantum speedup Recent research proves that under certain conditions, quantum annealing computers can run algorithms — including the well-known Shor’s algorithm — more quickly than classical computers. In most cases, however, quantum annealing does not provide a speedup compared to classical computing when time is limited, according to a study in Nature Communications. “We proved that you can be sure you will reach a fast solution from the initial problem, but that’s only true for a certain class of problems that can be set up so that the many histories of evolution of the quantum system interfere constructively. Then the different quantum histories enhance each other’s probability to reach the solution,” said Nikolai Sinitsyn, a theoretical quantum physicist at Los Alamos National Laboratory and co-author of the paper with his Los Alamos colleague Bin Yan. While examples of superior quantum performance in quantum annealing simulations are routinely reported, they lack definite proof. Sometimes researchers infer that they have achieved quantum advantage, but they cannot prove that this superiority is over any competing classical algorithm, Sinitsyn said." [...]

Watch NIST’s ‘Atomic Television’ Live and in Color

"Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have adapted their atom-based radio receiver to detect and display live color television and video games. Atom-based communications systems are of practical interest because they could be physically smaller and more tolerant of noisy environments than conventional electronics. Adding video capability could enhance radio systems in, for example, remote locations or emergency situations. NIST’s receiver uses atoms prepared in high-energy “Rydberg” states, which are unusually sensitive to electromagnetic fields, including radio signals. These sensors also enable signal power measurements linked to the international system of units (SI). The latest work, described in AVS Quantum Science, is the first to demonstrate video reception." [...]

On the front lines of space innovation

"Aeronautics and astronautics PhD candidate George Lordos develops technologies to enable life on Mars. George Lordos is not your typical graduate student. A degree in economics from Oxford University, an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management, and a 20-year professional career were not the end of his learning journey. His longtime passion for space, particularly the prospect of making a sustainable society on Mars a reality, drew him back to school yet again, this time to study aeronautics and astronautics at MIT. Lordos remembers vividly the impetus for this change in his professional trajectory. In 2014, SpaceX started demonstrating reusable rockets." [...]

Literature’s hottest new author: E. Machina?

"Imagine a bookshelf that stretches far into the distance, laden with genre fiction: potboilers, romances, thrillers. Farther down, we glimpse the royal blue of a Fitzcarraldo edition. The catch? Every book has the same author: E. Machina. They’ve all been written by AI. To SFI External Professor Dan Rockmore (Dartmouth College), we’re closer than we think to the world of that bookstore — a world where AI doesn’t simply summarize financial reports or baseball games, as it does today, but where its work is even considered literary." [...]

Premiere for super­con­duct­ing diode with­out exter­nal mag­netic field

"Superconductors are the key to lossless current flow. However, the realization of superconducting diodes has only recently become an important topic of fundamental research. An international research team involving the theoretical physicist Mathias Scheurer have now succeeded in reaching a milestone: the realization of a superconducting diode effect without an external magnetic field. They report on this in Nature Physics. One speaks of a superconducting diode effect when a material behaves like a superconductor in one direction of current flow and like a resistor in the other. In contrast to a conventional diode, such a superconducting diode exhibits a completely vanishing resistance and thus no losses in the forward direction." [...]

Algorithm learns to correct 3D printing errors for different parts, materials and systems

"Engineers have created intelligent 3D printers that can quickly detect and correct errors, even in previously unseen designs, or unfamiliar materials like ketchup and mayonnaise, by learning from the experiences of other machines. The engineers, from the University of Cambridge, developed a machine learning algorithm that can detect and correct a wide variety of different errors in real time, and can be easily added to new or existing machines to enhance their capabilities. 3D printers using the algorithm could also learn how to print new materials by themselves. Details of their low-cost approach are reported in the journal Nature Communications. 3D printing has the potential to revolutionise the production of complex and customised parts, such as aircraft components, personalised medical implants, or even intricate sweets, and could also transform manufacturing supply chains. However, it is also vulnerable to production errors, from small-scale inaccuracies and mechanical weaknesses through to total build failures." [...]

2D boundaries could create electricity

"Rice lab leads effort to generate thickness-independent piezoelectricity in atom-thick materials There’s still plenty of room at the bottom to generate piezoelectricity. Engineers at Rice University and their colleagues are showing the way. A new study describes the discovery of piezoelectricity — the phenomenon by which mechanical energy turns into electrical energy — across phase boundaries of two-dimensional materials. The work led by Rice materials scientists Pulickel Ajayan and Hanyu Zhu and their colleagues at Rice’s George R. Brown School of Engineering, the University of Southern California, the University of Houston, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Research Laboratory and Pennsylvania State University appears in Advanced Materials. The discovery could aid in the development of ever-smaller nanoelectromechanical systems, devices that could be used, for example, to power tiny actuators and implantable biosensors, and ultrasensitive temperature or pressure sensors. The researchers show the atomically thin system of a metallic domain surrounding semiconducting islands creates a mechanical response in the material’s crystal lattice when subjected to an applied voltage." [...]

Helping older adults stay safe and independent

"MIT alumni-founded WalkWise uses a motion-detecting device for walkers to allow family members and care professionals to monitor adults with mobility challenges. Smartwatches and Fitbits are great for tracking movement, but they weren’t designed for the type of people for whom collecting movement data is arguably most important: older adults who use mobility aids like walkers. For such adults, a change in activity could signal a life-threatening problem: Falls are a leading cause of injury-based death for older adults in the U.S. Decreased mobility could also signal problems like heart failure, depression, or cognitive decline. Now WalkWise is helping older adults stay safe and active with a device that attaches to their walker or rollator. Data captured from the device can go to loved ones, physical therapists, or health care providers to help keep adults safe while they remain independent and at home." [...]

Rice team eyes cells for sophisticated data storage

"National Science Foundation backs effort to turn living cells into equivalent of computer RAM Remember Escherichia coli? Pretty soon, these handy bacteria may remember you too, now that Rice University synthetic biologists have won National Science Foundation (NSF) support to modify living cells to act as memory-storage devices. The agency will send $1.5 million to Rice for research by principal investigator Jonathan Silberg, the Stewart Memorial Professor of Biochemistry, and his colleagues to make the equivalent of read-write-erase memories commonly found in computers and other devices. These programmable cells, starting with E. coli, will be able to capture and store information about their environments for later analysis by researchers. “Cells read out dynamic information about their local habitat, process that information to make behavioral decisions and store some of that information in their biomolecules,” said Silberg, director of Rice’s Systems, Synthetic and Physical Biology Ph.D. program. “While cells have the potential to be integrated with semiconductor materials to create a whole new generation of sustainable technologies that read out information stored in biomolecules, we remain limited in our ability to interface cells and materials to create useful bioelectronic devices.” Co-principal investigators are Rafael Verduzco, a professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering and materials science and nanoengineering, James Chappell, an assistant professor of biosciences and bioengineering, and Caroline Ajo-Franklin, a professor of biosciences and bioengineering." [...]

Researchers Boost Sensitivity and Speed of Raman Microscopy Technique

"New CARS microscopy approach lays groundwork for label-free, user-friendly clinical device Researchers have developed a label-free and non-invasive Raman spectroscopy approach that can acquire microscopic images of biological samples and identify a wide range of biomolecules with unprecedented speed and sensitivity. “Our work could lead to a non-invasive, label-free and user-friendly device for clinical use,” said research team leader Dario Polli from Politecnico di Milano in Italy. “This innovative microscope, coupled with deep learning-based algorithms, could eventually make it easier and faster to diagnose cancer by allowing the visualization of the chemical constituents of human tissues and cells.” In the Optica Publishing Group journal Optics Express, the researchers describe their new technique, which is based on coherent anti-stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy. CARS microscopy produces images based on the vibrational signatures of molecules by exploiting the interaction between ultrashort laser pulses and biological samples. The new approach provides access to the hard-to-detect region of the vibrational spectrum known as the fingerprint region, which spans from 400 to 1800 cm−1. Although many individual compounds can be identified using their vibrational fingerprints in this region, it tends to produce weak signals that are difficult to detect." [...]

Through the looking glass: the strange atomic structure of glassy materials

"Although glass has been used throughout history, its atomic structure was not proposed until the 20th century. Yet, a few mysteries remain even today. In a seminal paper in The Journal of the American Chemical Society in 1932, physicist William H. Zachariasen first proposed that glass is composed of three-dimensional, random networks of alternate atoms of silicon and oxygen joined in long cross-linked chains. He suggested that the basic structural unit was a tetrahedron of one silicon atom surrounded by four oxygen atoms in which the tetrahedrons shared corners. He theorised that the network lacked the rotational symmetry and translational periodicity found in a crystal structure. But how did Zachariasen or his peers know that his radical idea was basically correct?" [...]

Compact QKD system paves the way to cost-effective satellite-based quantum networks

"Researchers demonstrate successful quantum key distribution between space lab and four ground stations Researchers report an experimental demonstration of a space-to-ground quantum key distribution (QKD) network using a compact QKD terminal aboard the Chinese Space Lab Tiangong-2 and four ground stations. The new QKD system is less than half the weight of the system the researchers developed for the Micius satellite, which was used to perform the world’s first quantum-encrypted virtual teleconference. The demonstration represents an important step toward practical QKD based on constellations of small satellites, a setup considered one of the most promising routes to creating a global quantum communication network. “QKD offers unconditional security by using single photons to encode information between two distant terminals,” said research team member Cheng-Zhi Peng from the University of Science and Technology of China. “The compact system we developed can reduce the cost of implementing QKD by making it possible to use small satellites.” Peng and researchers from other institutions in China describe their new system and experimental results in Optica, Optica Publishing Group’s journal for high-impact research. They also found that QKD performance can be boosted by building a network of satellites orbiting at different angles, or inclinations, in relation to the equator." [...]

Eco-friendly Solar Cells Improve Power Generation Efficiency by Resolving Causes of Defects!

"The DGIST (President Kuk Yang) Thin Film Solar Cell Research Center (Chairman Gang Jin-gyu) worked with Professor Kim Se-yoon of the Department of New Material Engineering at Kyungnam University (President Park Jae-gyu) to investigate the cause of pore formation, a problem in CZTS thin-film solar cells, which are eco-friendly general-purpose thin-film solar cells. It was announced on the 12th (Tuesday) that it developed a technology to overcome this problem. “Solar cells,” which generate electricity by converting light energy from the sun into electrical energy, are sustainable new renewable energy and can be easily found in everyday life. Among them, CZTS thin film is easy to mass-produce because it uses copper, tin, and zinc as its main materials, which are inexpensive and have little toxicity. In addition, due to its bending property, it can be applied to various fields. In 2019, the DGIST Thin Film Solar Cell Research Center developed a solar cell with the world's highest power conversion efficiency of 12.6%." [...]

2D array of electron and nuclear spin qubits opens new frontier in quantum science

"By using photons and electron spin qubits to control nuclear spins in a two-dimensional material, researchers at Purdue University have opened a new frontier in quantum science and technology, enabling applications like atomic-scale nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and to read and write quantum information with nuclear spins in 2D materials. As published Monday (Aug. 15) in Nature Materials, the research team used electron spin qubits as atomic-scale sensors, and also to effect the first experimental control of nuclear spin qubits in ultrathin hexagonal boron nitride. “This is the first work showing optical initialization and coherent control of nuclear spins in 2D materials,” said corresponding author Tongcang Li, a Purdue associate professor of physics and astronomy and electrical and computer engineering, and member of the Purdue Quantum Science and Engineering Institute. “Now we can use light to initialize nuclear spins and with that control, we can write and read quantum information with nuclear spins in 2D materials. This method can have many different applications in quantum memory, quantum sensing, and quantum simulation.” Quantum technology depends on the qubit, which is the quantum version of a classical computer bit. It is often built with an atom, subatomic particle, or photon instead of a silicon transistor." [...]

Check Electrons Moving inside Gold! Optical Microscope Experiment Strategy

"A research team led by Professor Seo Dae-ha of the Department of Physics and Chemistry at DGIST (President Kuk Yang) developed an optical microscopy that can control and observe electron transfer and transfer in complex chemical reactions occurring in nano-catalysts. This technology is expected to provide an experiment strategy based on system chemistry, a new experiment strategy for precisely studying photocatalysts at the single particle level. Plasmonic metals at the nanometer level, such as gold, exhibit high light absorption rate in a wide place within the range of visible light. They are combined with semiconductor photocatalysts to act as a medium to increase light absorption. Excitation occurs in which electrons gain energy and move as a reaction to light absorption, and it appears through various paths depending on the size of the metal and the wavelength of the light. There are various hypotheses on the effect of this electron movement as a catalyst." [...]

Scientists clarify how best known superconductor works, hope to improve on it

"In a series of experiments on lanthanum superhydride with impurities, researchers from Skoltech, Lebedev Physical Institute of RAS and their colleagues from the United States, Germany and Japan, have established the mechanism behind the highest-temperature superconductivity in polyhydrides observed to date. Reported in Advanced Materials, the discovery paves the way for future studies pursuing materials that conduct electricity with zero resistance at or close to room temperature. Those would come in handy for superconducting electronics and quantum computers, maglev trains, MRI machines, particle accelerators, and perhaps even nuclear fission reactors and lossless power lines, if you’re into that kind of thing. If not the Holy Grail of materials science, near room-temperature superconductors are certainly among the most sought-after materials with technological applications. If discovered, such a material would enable monster electromagnets that could be used in fundamental research instruments, such as ultraprecise magnetic sensors and particle accelerators that would make the Large Hadron Collider seem puny, as well as in medical tech (better MRI scanners), magnetic levitation trains, miniature motors and generators, and extended battery life gadgets. Among the more futuristic applications are long-distance power transmission lines that would deliver electricity nearly without losses." [...]

New quantum technology combines free electrons and photons

"Researchers from Göttingen (Germany) and Lausanne (Switzerland) have successfully created electron-photon pairs in a controlled way in an electron microscope for the first time. Using a new method, they could precisely detect the involved particles. The findings of the study expand the toolbox of quantum technology. Faster computers, tap-proof communication, better car sensors – quantum technologies have the potential to revolutionize our lives just as once the invention of computers or the internet. Experts worldwide are trying to implement findings from basic research into quantum technologies. To this end, they often require individual particles, such as photons – the elementary particles of light – with tailored properties." [...]

Looking inside a neutron star – new model will improve insights gleaned from gravitational waves

"The oscillations in binary neutron stars before they merge could have big implications for the insights scientists can glean from gravitational wave detection. Researchers at the University of Birmingham have demonstrated the way in which these unique vibrations, caused by the interactions between the two stars’ tidal fields as they get close together, affect gravitational-wave observations. The study is published in Physical Review Letters. Taking these movements into account could make a huge difference to our understanding of the data taken by the Advanced LIGO and Virgo instruments, set up to detect gravitational waves – ripples in time and space – produced by the merging of black holes and neutron stars. The researchers aim to have a new model ready for Advanced LIGO’s next observing run and even more advanced models for the next generation of Advanced LIGO instruments, called A+, which are due to begin their first observing run in 2025. Since the first gravitational waves were detected by the LIGO Scientific Collaboration and Virgo Collaboration in 2016, scientists have been focused on advancing their understanding of the massive collisions that produce these signals, including the physics of a neutron star at supra nuclear densities." [...]

Building blocks of the future for photovoltaics

"Research team led by Göttingen University observes formation of "dark" moiré interlayer excitons for the first time An international research team led by the University of Göttingen has, for the first time, observed the build-up of a physical phenomenon that plays a role in the conversion of sunlight into electrical energy in 2D materials. The scientists succeeded in making quasiparticles – known as dark Moiré interlayer excitons – visible and explaining their formation using quantum mechanics. The researchers show how an experimental technique newly developed in Göttingen, femtosecond photoemission momentum microscopy, provides profound insights at a microscopic level, which will be relevant to the development of future technology. The results were published in Nature. Atomically thin structures made of two-dimensional semiconductor materials are promising candidates for future components in electronics, optoelectronics and photovoltaics. Interestingly, the properties of these semiconductors can be controlled in an unusual way: like Lego bricks, the atomically thin layers can be stacked on top of each other." [...]

Stanford engineers present new chip that ramps up AI computing efficiency

"Stanford engineers created a more efficient and flexible AI chip, which could bring the power of AI into tiny edge devices. AI-powered edge computing is already pervasive in our lives. Devices like drones, smart wearables, and industrial IoT sensors are equipped with AI-enabled chips so that computing can occur at the “edge” of the internet, where the data originates. This allows real-time processing and guarantees data privacy. However, AI functionalities on these tiny edge devices are limited by the energy provided by a battery. Therefore, improving energy efficiency is crucial." [...]

Baylor Study Combines Lithophane, 3D Printing to Make Scientific Data Accessible to Everyone Regardless of Level of Eyesight

"Scientists use old-fashioned art form and 3D printing to make major advance in eliminating exclusion of individuals with blindness or low vision from chemistry and other life sciences Media Contact: Lori Fogleman, Baylor University Media and Public Relations, 254-709-5959 Follow us on Twitter: @BaylorUMedia A research team led by Baylor University chemists has taken a groundbreaking step forward in eliminating the exclusion of individuals with blindness from chemistry education and experiences. In an article published today in Science Advances, the researchers detail how they used lithophane – an old-fashioned art form – and 3D printing to turn scientific data into tactile graphics that glow with video-like resolution, enabling both blind and sighted individuals to universally visualize the same piece of data. Although the lithophane is an ancient artistic medium, it has never been used – until now – to represent scientific data and imagery in a quantitative, controlled manner for tactile visualization and tactile integration. The Baylor study – “Data for all: Tactile graphics that light up with picture-perfect resolution” – compared how blind and sighted people interpreted lithophane data by touch or eyesight. The participant cohorts tested the five lithophane forms – gel electropherograms, micrographs, electronic and mass spectra, and textbook illustrations – interpreting all five lithophanes by tactile sensing or eyesight at 79% overall accuracy, according to the study. The researchers focused on creating and testing lithophanes of data found in the chemical sciences because of the explicit and systematic exclusion of students with blindness from chemistry, which the researchers noted “can be viewed as a virtue by educators, parents, peers or self, on the basis of laboratory safety and the ‘visual’ nature of chemistry.” “This research is an example of art making science more accessible and inclusive." [...]

A breakthrough in magnetic materials research could lead to novel ways to manipulate electron flow with much less energy loss

"Newly discovered magnetic interactions in the Kagome layered topological magnet TbMn6Sn6 could be the key to customizing how electrons flow through these materials. Scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory conducted an in-depth investigation of TbMn6Sn6 to better understand the material and its magnetic characteristics. These results could impact future technology advancements in fields such as quantum computing, magnetic storage media, and high-precision sensors. Kagomes are a type of material whose structure is named after a traditional Japanese basket weaving technique. The weave produces a pattern of hexagons surrounded by triangles and vice-versa. The arrangement of the atoms in Kagome metals reproduces the weaving pattern." [...]

HackSpace magazine #58

"As children we were told not to play with our food. As adults, we can do whatever the heck we like. Join us this month to celebrate the joy of messing around with food, whether that’s grilling cheese, making coffee, or automating the construction of tacos. - Find things to make and do with polystyrene - Drool over a 3D printed chocolate Jean-Luc Picard - Make magical curiosities with double hinges - Keep food fresh with 3D printed teeth" [...]

Deep Discharge Protector for 3.6V Li-Ion Battery

"A rechargeable battery’s load should be disconnected at the point of complete discharge, to avoid a further (deep) discharge that can shorten its life or destroy it. Because a battery’s terminal voltage recovers when you disconnect the load, you can’t simply disconnect the load when the terminal voltage dips below the established threshold and then re-connect it when the voltage returns above that threshold. Such action may produce chatter in the disconnect switch. The project shown here is a complete solution to this problem. The circuit disconnects the load when the battery level goes below a set point. The project is built using the MAX882 chip, which has a low-battery comparator and error amplifier that share the internal reference and the external resistor divider." [...]

MacTEMPtosh

"So this is the Mini MacTEMPtosh, a portable Temperature and Humidity meter that displays the current Temp and Humidity level by an onboard AHT10 Sensor. Its Body is made to look like the old MACINTOSH 128K Desktop PC so that's why it's called MacTEMPtosh. This setup is powered by an ESP32 Board and has a Lithium Cell as the power source. AHT10 is being used to measure the current TEMP and Humidity level that is being displayed on an SSD1306 OLED Display which is all controlled by an ESP32 Board. This Instructables is about the whole built process of this device so let's get started. Following were the materials used in this built- - ESP32 - SSD1306 - AHT10 Temp Sensor - IP5303 Module - Li-ion Cell - 3D Printed parts - header pins and connection wires" [...]

Simplest CNC Plotter Making

"An efficient and most useful CLC Plotter using old printer machines. CLC Plotter is A graphics printer that draws images with pens. Plotters actually draw point-to-point lines directly from vector graphics files. The plotter was the first computer output device that could print graphics as well as accommodate full-size engineering and architectural drawings. Using multiple colored pens, plotters were also able to print in color long before inkjet printers became an alternative. Here we are building one that is easy and low cost to build." [...]

Mini Web Radio (ESP32)

"Originally designed as a charity project, the MWR is a simple single-station battery powered internet radio. The design features a combined power-volume dial and 3.5mm headphone socket, utilising a 3D printed case Firmware, documentation and STL files: https://github.com/AllanGallop/mini-web-radio Parts 1x WeMos Lolin32 Lite 1x MAX98357A 1x 10K Linear Potentiometer with SPST switch 2x 47K 1/4W Resistor 2x 330R 1/4W Resistor 2x 3mm LED 1x18650 Battery and Holder 2x M1.7 5mm pan head screw 1x M2 5mm flat heat screw 1x 3D Printed Case Shell 1x 3D Printed Case Face 1x 3D Printed Volume Knob Various guages of wire Various sizes of heatshrink tubing Tools Soldering Iron Wire Cutters Hot-Glue Gun" [...]

Accurate Acoustic Sensor – Sound Frequency to Voltage Converter

"The project presented here is a sensitive sound sensor. The circuit converts sound frequency and outputs DC voltage. The board consists of LM358 OPAMP and LM2907 IC. LM358 is used as a dual-stage microphone preamplifier and LM2907 acts as a frequency to voltage converter. The circuit provides analog voltage output when it detects sound. The output of the sensor is proportional to the audio sound frequency detected through the condenser microphone." [...]

Talking clock

"Retro clock with seven segment display, WDC65C02 microprocessor and SP0256 voice synthesis chip. Few years ago I began my experiments with retro microprocessors. Their eventual result was a design of board consisting WDC65C02 CPU, EPROM, static RAM chip and couple of logic ICs. The goal was to make something similar to modern Arduino, but mostly with retro parts. When it was ready an tested, I began process of designing "shields" consisting various I/O chips, displays etc. The next step was to design a device around those modules." [...]

Step Switch Party

"Re-live your Roland 808 drum machine dreams with these step switches with LEDs. They're tactile, they're momentary, and they're awesome. This guide show how you can use them as simple inputs for a CircuitPython-based project on Pico, but you can use these methods for any microcontroller board you like. The basic examples let you make a desktop switcher, game item selector, or MIDI controller using a simple bit of code. You'll be reading switches and toggling their LEDs for feedback in no time! " [...]

Motorbike Telemetry System | Arduino Nano 33 IoT

"Using an Arduino Nano 33 IoT combined with a GPS module and a battery enable motorbike riders to monitor and track their behavior on track. Story When I bought my first motorcycle, I started thinking on a system that could monitor my routes. I usually rode with my friends in Kartodromo Lucas Guerrero, and we always wanted to know who was leaning more the bike in each curve, breaking later or achieving more top speed. The Idea So I started looking for a system that could monitor all of this variables. When I saw Arduino Nano 33 IoT capabilities, I knew it was the perfect micro for this project. It had integrated gyroscope and accelerometer, so I could register pitch, yaw and roll from motorcycles." [...]

DIY Current Meter Using Arduino

"The basics of measuring the current. Making a own current sensor to measure the current using voltmeter. Components required: 1) Arduino Nano 2) LM358 3) 10mV/A shunt resistor 4) 9-volt battery 5) 100k, 10k, 1k resistor. 6) I2C LCD 16*2 7) Connecting wires 8) Power supply 9) Load resistance (DC-motor) 10) Custom PCB" [...]

How to Make a Flexible Printed Circuit Board

"A few months ago I started developing my own bio-impedance measurement system and I planned to use a flexible printed circuit board as a sensor. Since I haven't used this type of board before, I started looking for a manufacturer specializing in flexible PCBs. I found that I can order one from PCBWay.com but to my surprise, the automatically calculated price was way too expensive (111.98$ for the board used in this instructable). For a minute I thought that maybe I can make a flexible PCB by myself so I started to surf the internet on how to make a flexible PCB at home. I found that many people use a material called "Pyralux". Unfortunately, I couldn't find this material in my country and I didn't want to order it from China, since the delivery will take another 6 weeks." [...]

Tim's Hybrid Harmonic Drive

"As usual every thing I make is on a budget. I have the Idea for a new project, but it will need a few motors for it. The type of motors I need are quite expensive. - They need encoders to keep track of there position. - They need a good range of speed. - They need quite a bit of power (Strength)." [...]

Make a Cube Timer Using 4 OLED Displays and I2C Multiplexer

"Have you ever counted how much time you spend on your phone a day? I counted and the result shocked me. I cannot even remember the last time I truly focused on sth without looking at my phone for 2 hours. I realized that my phone impairs my ability to concentrate, so I really need a tool that can keep me reliably distraction-free. I searched online and found that timing is a good idea. It is said that when people understand that there's a tangible end to whatever they're doing, they will be able to focus on that one activity better." [...]

Customizable WiFi IR Remote V1

"There are a bunch of remotes for controlling various devices and using them is a frustrating thing because every device has its own routine that is made by default and users have to go through the same routine to open up what they desire. So what's the solution? That's where this project comes into play. In this project, you can customize your IR remote in such a way that you can control various activities like switching between your favorite channels, switching between entertainment apps or even powering ON/OFF various devices with a single button. So hands on to create your perfect entertainment experience. Supplies Hardware - Nodemcu or any other ESP8266 board - IR Transmitter and Receive - 220-ohm Resistor - Rechargeable Battery(Optional) Software - Arduino IDE - IRremoteESP8266 Library" [...]

DIY Arduino 7ch Transmitter in a 3d Printed Case

"Hello, I am pleased to present to you my first major project, a custom designed 7 channel transceiver unit. The transmitter is based on an arduino nano, to which two joysticks are connected, a potmeter and two toggle switches. Communication is handled by the nRF24L01. I chose this module because it is relatively cheap, has a very long range when used properly and a very low latency. My main principles in building it were cheapness and to create a compact, good looking and reliable device. I didn't want any disturbing long cables that could come loose during testing and cause malfunction, so I also designed my own PCB." [...]

Turn Your Old 3dprinter Into a REMOTE 4 AXIS CAMERA HEAD SLIDER

"I used to had two 3d printers, one I build my self long time ago with scrap material and a new one from a commercial brand, I do not print quite often so one printer was extra, so I decided to turn it into a 3-4 axis camera head slider. The process is pretty simple just reprogramming the 3d printer to use it as a robot and programming easily a controller that you can remote control as well using your phone. All that help me to record and make videos alone without a camera operator. Supplies - Old 3D printer with mainly the next parts. - 3 or 4 Stepper motors the bigger the stronger. - Controller board of the 3d printer - 2020 Aluminum Extrusions - Right Angle Plate - 8mm Shaft Bearings - 8mm shaft Supports - 2 Set of gt2 20 teeth pulleys and gt2 60 teeth pulleys - Vslot M8x10 screw set - 8mm Steel rod - 16 - M3 screws - Camera L bracket - 2 Camera long quick release plate Remote Controller Parts: - ESP32 board - OLED Display - Mini Joystick Module - Logic Voltage adapter Board - Arduino Buzzer Module - 2-M3 Screws Tools: - Metal Saw - Drill with 5mm or 13/64" bit - Set of Allen Keys - 1/4 Tap screw set (optional) - Tap Wrench (optional)" [...]

PokeWeather

"So here's something a bit Nerdy, A Pokémon-themed Pocket Weather Station made by using custom PCBs and 3D Printed parts. An ESP8266 Board is being used to drive the display and it was made to look like a Pokedex from the pokemon series. This Weather Station pulls data from a weather website, and OLED Screen Displays data on it. It has a Lithium battery inside so we can carry it around, to turn this device ON, we use the slide switch which is on the main circuit. This Instructables is gonna be about the whole built process so let's get started. Following were the materials used in this built- - Custom PCB - ESP8266 NodeMCU Board - OLED DISPLAY 0.96 inch - 3,7V LIPO Cell with PCM Soldered onboard - Header Pins for ESP8266 - 5mm LED - 1K Resistor - IN5399 Diode - USB Micro Port THT - Slide switch - Battery JST connector" [...]

The B.U.R.N. Meter: Rechargeable Arduino UV Index Meter

"Since summer rolled around and people are starting to flock to beaches again during these post-pandemic times, I decided to make a portable UV index meter for my more delicate-skinned friends so they can sunbathe responsbily - by keeping an eye on how much UV radiation they are exposing themselves to at the moment! There are some other portable UV index meter projects online, but none of them feature a rechargable battery and most have clunky designs that makes it hard to see the screen and point the UV sensor up at the same time, so I took it to myself to build one. B.U.R.N. Meter is an Arduino Teensy based UV index meter with a ST7789 display capable of measuring UV index and onboard battery voltage in real time. The device features the following: - Colored display that shows the current UV index based on an ultraviolet photodiode reading - Live texts with recommended duration user can stay outside before getting sunburned - Graphics displaying the remaining battery capacity - Dynamic image that changes color based on the measured radiation level Components: - Arduino Teensy 4.0 - ST7789 1.3" LCD Display Screen - 3.7v LiPo Battery - TP4056 Lithium Battery Charging Board - GUVA-S12SD UV Sensor - S7V8F3 Voltage Regulator - Rocker Switch - 10k Resistors - Alpha Nanotech Fused Quartz Plates (Industrial Grade, 30 x 30 x 1 mm) - 1/8" Thick Acrylic Sheet - M2 x 5 mm Screws - M2 x 10 mm Screws - Solder Board - 22 AWG Solid Copper Wires Tools needed: - Hot glue - 3D printer - Wire stripper/cutter - Soldering iron and solder - Small M2 Phillips screwdriver (or equivalent if using a different fastener from the one above) - Electronics tape (optional but recommended) - Laser cutter (optional, can substitute with a saw or something that can cut acrylic)" [...]

Environment Data lora Node

"A lore Node that transmit environment data After receiving the sensecap K1100 kit from seed, I try all of the modules capability. And fortunately I have a Xiao RP2040 and an extra lora e5 module. With these module in mind I will try to make a sensor node that transmit environment data via P2P protocol. In this project I also use the Xiao grove shield as the grove expander and make the project more neat. The lora node transmitter consist of two grove sensor which is SGP30 grove sensor and SHT40 grove sensor. These sensors have the capability to sense the air quality and Temperature Humidity." [...]

CO2 Buddy

"This USB powered device helps your mind to stay awake by measuring the sourrunding CO2 level In the club - you have your wingman.In the gym - you have your gym buddy.To stay productive - you have your CO2 buddy! This little device shows you when its time to open the windows based on the current CO2 level. Ready - set - print Print the attached CO2 Buddy base (black)Which will hold all the electronic components CO2 Buddy housing (black) CO2 Buddy top (black) CO2 Buddy ring (transparent)Which will assemble to the cover which can be stacked on top of the base Electronics This project is as simple as it can be. Glue the three components on each position given by the "CO2 Buddy base" and connect them according to the schematic below. red - 5V black - GND yellow - I2C SCL green - I2C DATA blue - NEOPIXEL DATA Software The Arduino code below will fade from green (800ppm) over yellow (1400ppm) to red (2000ppm) and send the current CO2 value on a Serial COM port (9600baud) every 5sec. " [...]

Internet Remote Controlled Robot Car

"In this Instructables, I'm gonna try to tell you how to make your robot car controlled on a website over the Internet. With this, as long as you have internet access, you can access your robot everywhere. This project has also been a learning for me to know how IoT devices work. A little background here, All this time I want to build something that can be controlled through the internet. It's really fascinating, the idea to control something far away from it. But, in search of building it I cannot seems to find the right source to build it." [...]

Pi Cam - a Remote Raspberry Pi Desktop/Camera/Server

"Pi Cam is a 3D Printed Remote Raspberry Pi Desktop/Camera/Server, It' can be your 3D Printer monitoring system, Camera (Record Photos/Videos/Time-lapse), Server, and a Linux desktop. And the good part is because we are using Remote-it service we can access all this remotely from anywhere in the world. Supplies: - 1X Raspberry Pi 4 - 1X Raspberry Pi HQ Camera - 1x 16mm Telephoto Lens or 6mm Wide-angle Lens - 1x 5V Fan(50*50*15 mm) - 12x M2.5 8mm & 5mm Screws - 3D Printed Parts" [...]

Low-Cost Orbital Shaker With Variable Shaking Frequency and Diameter

"An orbital shaker is a type of shaker that generates a horizontal circular motion at different angular speeds. It is widely used for various biological and chemical applications, primarily in medicine to study microbe cultures; however, the cost and entry barrier remain high. We built a low-cost orbital shaker that has the ability to operate at various shaking frequencies and shaking diameters. It is designed to hold a standard 96 well plate, beakers, or other small labware. This system can be applied to many research lab applications, and its ease of use and relatively low-budget compared to manufactured systems makes it accessible to many. This design was adapted from the project at https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2983846 Tools - Computer capable of running Arduino - Arduino Software - Phillips Head Screwdrivers - Pliers - Soldering Equipment - Multimeter - 3D printer (Original Prusa i3 MK3S+ recommended) - Super Glue" [...]

Solar Harvesting Wi-Fi Camera

"Compact and waterproof camera based on ESP32 usable for short periods of time, powered by solar energy. An ESP32-CAM module is a low-cost device based on ESP32-S module, an OV2640 image sensor and Micro SD slot. The module is not designed for low energy consumption, however, after some tweaks, the power consumption can be lowered to a level that is usable for short periods of time, powered by solar energy. The project presented here is a reasonably robust, dust-resistant and waterproof experimentation platform, using commercial off-the-shelf components. Ideal for outdoor usage. " [...]

ATX Bench Power Supply

"This is a bench power supply made from a old computer power supply. After trying to revamp my Robotic Arm I ran into some power supply issues with it so I decided to try and make my own bench top power supply. This will probably be overkill for anything I do but I’ve seen these types of computer power supply conversion online before and thought it would be a cool thing to try. I know the bare minimum when it comes to electronics so most of what I’m doing here was learn through google. " [...]

LED Display | The detailed Physics behind it

Safely Monitor and Alarm with Supervisord and Telegram

Six computers in one: Mini ITX Clusterboard

Will it Run Doom? - Making an 8 Bit pipelined CPU

PCB Face for a 7-Segment LED Clock?