Lifeboat Foundation

Researchers have created chip-based photonic resonators that operate in the ultraviolet (UV) and visible regions of the spectrum and exhibit a record low UV light loss. The new resonators lay the groundwork for increasing the size, complexity and fidelity of UV photonic integrated circuit (PIC) design, which could enable new miniature chip-based devices for applications such as spectroscopic sensing, underwater communication and quantum information processing.

“Compared to the better-established fields like telecom photonics and visible photonics, UV photonics is less explored even though UV wavelengths are needed to access certain atomic transitions in atom/ion-based quantum computing and to excite certain fluorescent molecules for biochemical sensing,” said research team member Chengxing He from Yale University. “Our work sets a good basis toward building photonic circuits that operate at UV wavelengths.”

In Optics Express, the researchers describe the alumina-based optical microresonators and how they achieved an unprecedented low loss at UV wavelengths by combining the right material with optimized design and fabrication.

Opening new possibilities for quantum sensors, atomic clocks and tests of fundamental physics, JILA researchers have developed new ways of “entangling” or interlinking the properties of large numbers of particles. In the process they have devised ways to measure large groups of atoms more accurately even in disruptive, noisy environments.

The new techniques are described in a pair of papers published in Nature. JILA is a joint institute of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Colorado Boulder.

“Entanglement is the holy grail of measurement science,” said Ana Maria Rey, a theoretical physicist and a JILA and NIST Fellow. “Atoms are the best sensors ever. They’re universal. The problem is that they’re quantum objects, so they’re intrinsically noisy. When you measure them, sometimes they’re in one energy state, sometimes they’re in another state. When you entangle them, you can manage to cancel the noise.”

Threads ranks near the bottom of the most popular social apps and continues to trail X, according to Insider Intelligence’s first forecast of the Twitter clone.

When you type a question into Google Search, the site sometimes provides a quick answer called a Featured Snippet at the top of the results, pulled from websites it has indexed. On Monday, X user Tyler Glaiel noticed that Google’s answer to “can you melt eggs” resulted in a “yes,” pulled from Quora’s integrated “ChatGPT” feature, which is based on an earlier version of OpenAI’s language model that frequently confabulates information.

“This is actually hilarious,” Glaiel wrote in a follow-up post. “Quora SEO’d themselves to the top of every search result, and is now serving chatGPT answers on their page, so that’s propagating to the answers google gives.” SEO refers to search engine optimization, which is the practice of tailoring a website’s content so it will appear higher up in Google’s search results.

The topic of artificial intelligence’s rising involvement in our digital world and its associated opportunities and challenges have been the main topics of discussion at many security conferences and events in recent times. There is little doubt that humankind is on the verge of an era of exponential technological advancement, and AI is leading the way in the emerging digital world.

For cybersecurity, this tech trend has implications. In simple terms, artificial intelligence acts as a powerful catalyst and enabler for cybersecurity in our connected ecosystem.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) — The Sphere in Las Vegas has introduced “life-like” robots that will interact with guests at the venue.

According to a news release, the Sphere describes the creation, which is named Aura, as the “world’s most advanced humanoid robot.”

Serving as the Sphere’s “spokesbot,” Aura will permanently reside in the grand atrium at the venue.

It’s no secret that our lungs play a vital role in our daily lives—ensuring we can breathe, fend off infections, and adapt to various challenges. Despite their importance, the organs still puzzle many medical experts, especially when they’re affected by diseases. While traditional tools like MRI and CT scans are helpful when a patient is experiencing a lung-related illness, they can still fall short in providing the detailed, real-time information needed to understand the intricacies of lung health.

Enter the groundbreaking innovation known as the crystal ribcage. Developed by researchers in Boston University’s College of Engineering, Pulmonary Center, Center for Multiscale and Translational Mechanobiology, and Neurophtonics Center, the technology is poised to revolutionize not only our understanding of lung function but also holds immense potential for other organs and treatments.

Continue reading “Q&A: ‘Crystal ribcage’ technology pioneers new approaches to lung health” »

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has spotted a distant supernova that appears three times in the same photo. The new observations could help solve one of the universe’s biggest inconsistencies.

The automotive industry as a whole is experiencing a significant transformation driven by artificial intelligence. AI tech is increasingly integrated into vehicles to enhance safety, efficiency, and the overall driving experience. From advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) that provide features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist to autonomous driving capabilities, AI is at the forefront of automotive innovation. Now, BMW has found yet another way to implement the new tech.

The German manufacturer wants to take the next step in customer service with its latest offering, Proactive Care that blends data and artificial intelligence. This new service empowers BMW vehicles to autonomously identify existing and predictable service requirements, enabling them to proactively anticipate customer needs and offer timely solutions. The initial applications are now live and the automaker plans continuous enhancements for the future.