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Nov 3, 2015

Google’s ‘Project Wing’ commercial drone service to launch in 2017

Posted by in categories: drones, transportation

We’ve seen Project Wing, the air-delivery service from Google, tap NASA to help sidestep reams of bureaucratic red tape and get off the ground before, and it looks like the service could soon launch in earnest. The outfit’s laying the groundwork right now and says that its goal is having the commercial flights up and running in 2017, according to Reuters. The company is one of several working with the Federal Aviation Administration to develop a registry for drones and eventually dedicated air traffic control system. The former would ideally be in place by this December 20th, making sure operators are aware of rules on where, when and how to fly their aircraft.

Google’s David Vos told the audience at an air traffic control covention that his company would want low-altitude space (14,500 feet and below), coincidentally dubbed “Class G,” reserved for UAVs to fly over cities. Rather than continuously doing the hokey pokey to get past the FAA, this is a crucial step to getting more commercial drones in the air. Whether or not that’s a good thing is entirely up to you.

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Nov 3, 2015

Scotland to build world’s largest floating wind farm

Posted by in category: sustainability

The Scottish government has announced that it’s approved the construction of the UK’s first – and world’s largest – floating offshore wind development.

The world’s largest floating wind farm is set to be installed 25 kilometres off the coast of Peterhead at the easternmost point of mainland Scotland. The development, called Hywind, will be developed by Norwegian energy company Statoil and is expected to generate enough electricity to power nearly 20,000 homes.

“Hywind is a hugely exciting project, in terms of electricity generation and technology innovation, and it’s a real testament to our energy sector expertise and skilled workforce that Statoil chose Scotland for the world’s largest floating wind farm,” said John Swinney, deputy first minister.

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Nov 3, 2015

Do we love robots because we hate ourselves?

Posted by in category: robotics/AI

The AI dream is both self-congratulatory and self-loathing.

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Nov 3, 2015

Bitcoin to become sixth largest global reserve currency

Posted by in category: bitcoin

Bank are estimated to spend over $1bn on blockchain projects in next two years, according to Magister Advisors.

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Nov 3, 2015

Ultrasensitive sensors made from boron-doped graphene

Posted by in categories: electronics, materials, particle physics

Ultrasensitive gas sensors based on the infusion of boron atoms into graphene—a tightly bound matrix of carbon atoms—may soon be possible, according to an international team of researchers from six countries.

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Nov 3, 2015

Nanotweezer is new tool to create advanced plasmonic technologies

Posted by in categories: computing, nanotechnology, quantum physics

A new type of ‘nanotweezer’ capable of positioning tiny objects quickly and accurately and freezing them in place could enable improved nanoscale sensing methods and aid research to manufacture advanced technologies such as quantum computers and ultra-high-resolution displays.

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Nov 3, 2015

Unbreakable glass that’s as strong as steel created

Posted by in category: materials

University of Tokyo develops unbreakable glass that could revolutionise construction, manufacturing and dinner parties.

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Nov 3, 2015

Russian scientists successfully implant the first 3D-printed thyroid gland

Posted by in categories: 3D printing, biotech/medical

A thyroid gland printed last March by 3D Printing Solutions is now proven to be fully functional, and experts say the results will revolutionize medicine.

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Nov 3, 2015

Researchers create lithium-air battery that could be 10x more powerful than lithium-ion

Posted by in categories: chemistry, electronics, mobile phones, solar power, sustainability, transportation

A new lithium-air battery created by researchers at the University of Cambridge points the way to the ultimate battery packs of the future, its makers say. With a very high energy density, more than 90 percent efficiency and the capability for more than 2,000 recharge cycles, the new test battery could prove an important stepping stone in the development of this essential technology.

If you’re getting tired of announcements about breakthroughs in battery technology, that’s understandable: as they’re so essential to modern life, many teams of scientists are busy working on the problem around the clock, but it’s an incredibly complex area of chemistry. Any new battery has to improve on what we already have, be safe to use in consumer gadgets, and be commercially viable enough to be affordable for manufacturers.

Those are difficult targets to hit, and that’s why many ‘miracle’ batteries have since fallen by the wayside – once the initial lab work is done, proving concepts and scaling up production is very difficult to get right. The potential rewards are huge though, not just for smartphones but for electric cars and solar power, where batteries are essential for storing energy to use when the sun isn’t shining.

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Nov 3, 2015

The UK has just invested in a super plane that could fly anywhere in four hours

Posted by in categories: finance, transportation

It almost sounds like a dream: a new kind of hypersonic space-kissing jet that can take you anywhere in the world in just four hours. But the Skylon super plane being developed by UK aerospace firm Reaction Engines is very real.

The project took a big step forward this week with Reaction Engines announcing a new partnership with defence and aerospace giant BAE Systems, whose financial backing, along with a considerable investment from the UK government, will help Reaction develop its new class of aerospace engine dubbed SABRE (Synergetic Air-Breathing Rocket Engine) by as early as 2020, with test flights possible just five years later.

It’s thanks to the SABRE engine that the Skylon could theoretically take you to the other side of the planet for lunch, before dropping you safely back home in time for dinner.

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