-
New DARPA director seeks to deepen relations with universities
Under the Bush administration, the relationship between DARPA, the Pentagon’s research arm, and leading U.S. universities became strained; the new director has embarked on a tour of university campuses to re-energize the government-academia cooperation in defense research
-
-
Penny-size nuclear battery developed
Small nuclear battery, intended to power various micro/nanoelectromechanical systems, provides power density that is six orders of magnitude higher than chemical batteries
-
-
Day of charged-particles engine nears
A Texas rocket company tests world’s most powerful ion engine; the engine uses radio waves to heat argon gas, turning it into a hot plasma — a state of matter in which electrons are no longer bound to atomic nuclei; magnetic fields then squirt the superheated plasma out the back of the engine, producing thrust in the opposite direction
-
-
Strap-on UGV kit
Now you can turn you car into a UGV (unmanned ground vehicle): A retrofit from a Utah company allows you to turn your car into a UGV in about four hours
-
-
Indonesian experts: Dense soil, light materials vital for sturdier buildings
In the wake of last Wednesday’s devastating earthquake in Indonesia, experts call for more care in choosing sites for new buildings and communities; key factor: the stability of the soil; “If you build the foundation 20 to 30 meters deep, then you need very dense soil,” an expert said
-
-
Princeton, Rice researchers develop new sensor for nitric oxide
Researchers develop new nitric oxide detector; the sensor could now be incorporated into a portable, shoe-box-sized system ideally suited for mass deployment in large-scale unattended sensor networks
-
-
New advanced sensors developed
Queen’s University Belfast researchers use Raman spectroscopy, which involves shining a laser beam onto the suspected sample and measuring the energy of light that scatters from it to determine what chemical compound is present; they mixed nanoscale silver particles to amplify the signals of compounds
-
-
U.S. military jets, vehicles to run on biofuels and animal-corpse grease
Honeywell says the U.S. Air Force will buy 400,000 gallons of algae/weeds/corpse-fat jet fuel, and the U.S. Navy will take 190,000 gallons
-
-
Smiths Detection, AeroVironment show chemical-sensing UAV
UAV technology combined with chemical sensors and advanced algorithms allow rapid aerial chemical detection and tracking
-
-
Wearable textile antenna for soldiers, first responders
Finnish company demonstrated that an antenna can be built using textiles that can be worn and used for personal satellite communication
-
-
The day of military smart phones nears
It is only a matter of time before we see military-related iPhone apps; the iPhone can use thousands of programs, and some of these are very useful for military personnel; officers see how useful the iPhone could be with software designed for military purposes; a military version of the iPhone, able to operate on a closed military network, would be a big help in the combat zone
-
-
ASE shows cargo and vehicle inspection system
American Science and Engineering, Inc. combines its patented Z Backscatter technology with High Energy Transmission to offer enhanced scanning system for vehicles, cargo; system may be used in drive-by mode to scan stationary objects, or in portal mode to scan vehicles as they drive past the system
-
-
Raytheon uses millimeter-wave radiation to keep food safe
Missile and defense contractor Raytheon offers a solution which uses millimeter-wave radiation to pasteurize food; new method is both healthier and more energy efficient than current pasteurization technologies
-
-
Study: Why the best soccer teams do not always win
New study shows that there is a high statistical probability that the best team might not win; the analysis found that in the 2006 World Cup, for example, the best team had only a 28 percent chance of winning
-
-
Boeing releases video of air-born tactical laser in action
In the (near) future, a laser weapon-carrying aircraft might be hidden by distance or darkness, and selected targets — cars, buildings, cell towers, etc. — would appear suddenly and inexplicably to burst into flames
-
The long view
Encryption Breakthrough Lays Groundwork for Privacy-Preserving AI Models
In an era where data privacy concerns loom large, a new approach in artificial intelligence (AI) could reshape how sensitive information is processed. New AI framework enables secure neural network computation without sacrificing accuracy.
AI-Controlled Fighter Jets May Be Closer Than We Think — and Would Change the Face of Warfare
Could we be on the verge of an era where fighter jets take flight without pilots – and are controlled by artificial intelligence (AI)? US R Adm Michael Donnelly recently said that an upcoming combat jet could be the navy’s last one with a pilot in the cockpit.
The Potential Impact of Seabed Mining on Critical Mineral Supply Chains and Global Geopolitics
The potential emergence of a seabed mining industry has important ramifications for the diversification of critical mineral supply chains, revenues for developing nations with substantial terrestrial mining sectors, and global geopolitics.
AI and the Future of the U.S. Electric Grid
Despite its age, the U.S. electric grid remains one of the great workhorses of modern life. Whether it can maintain that performance over the next few years may determine how well the U.S. competes in an AI-driven world.
Using Liquid Air for Grid-Scale Energy Storage
New research finds liquid air energy storage could be the lowest-cost option for ensuring a continuous power supply on a future grid dominated by carbon-free but intermittent sources of electricity.
Enhanced Geothermal Systems: A Promising Source of Round-the-Clock Energy
With its capacity to provide 24/7 power, many are warming up to the prospect of geothermal energy. Scientists are currently working to advance human-made reservoirs in Earth’s deep subsurface to stimulate the activity that exists within natural geothermal systems.