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Jun 9, 2019

Heart of next-generation chip-scale atomic clock

Posted by in categories: computing, particle physics, satellites

Physicists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and partners have demonstrated an experimental, next-generation atomic clock — ticking at high “optical” frequencies — that is much smaller than usual, made of just three small chips plus supporting electronics and optics.

Described in Optica, the chip-scale clock is based on the vibrations, or “ticks,” of rubidium atoms confined in a tiny glass container, called a vapor cell, on a chip. Two frequency combs on chips act like gears to link the atoms’ high-frequency optical ticks to a lower, widely used microwave frequency that can be used in applications.

The chip-based heart of the new clock requires very little power (just 275 milliwatts) and, with additional technology advances, could potentially be made small enough to be handheld. Chip-scale optical clocks like this could eventually replace traditional oscillators in applications such as navigation systems and telecommunications networks and serve as backup clocks on satellites.

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Jun 9, 2019

Microsoft launches Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with PC and Xbox games for $14.99 per month

Posted by in category: entertainment

https://youtube.com/watch?v=VbxDn2AZgb8

Xbox Live Gold is also included in the subscription.

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Jun 9, 2019

Study says new element 115, ununpentium, does exist

Posted by in category: chemistry

One more element may soon be added to the Periodic Table. On September 10, 2013, scientists reported evidence supporting the existence of element 115.

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Jun 9, 2019

The gene therapy revolution is here. Medicine is scrambling to keep pace

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, genetics

Greg Dore at the Kirby Institute of NSW participated in Australia’s Hepatitis C pricing discussions, and believes our model will work for the new gene therapy drugs – notwithstanding their eye-popping price tags – and the fact that the patient populations for these rare genetic diseases will be tiny.

However, the real reason companies are getting into gene therapy is not just to treat rare disease. It’s because they realise this technology will be a game changer for medicine.

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Jun 9, 2019

Handy graphene foam combos keep surfaces ice-free

Posted by in category: materials

Combining laser-induced graphene with a range of other materials gives it all sorts of new tricks.

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Jun 9, 2019

The “Quantum Glass” Battery Hype

Posted by in categories: finance, quantum physics, sustainability, transportation

There is a new battery type being hyped, with terms such as “Quantum Glass” battery or even “The Jesus Battery” and a claim that “It Will Ignite the Global $3 Trillion Electric Car Revolution.” Go and see it for yourself at investorplace.com (video transcript available from me), Forbes, and other financial information services.

This touted breakthrough in battery technology is the latest in a slew of innovative ideas that include “batteries made with sand,” “stretchable batteries,” “foam batteries,” “pee powered batteries,” “laser-made micro-super-capacitors” and more (13 Amazing Battery Innovations That Could Change The World).

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Jun 9, 2019

Michelin, GM working on airless, puncture-proof tire

Posted by in category: futurism

Flat tires could soon be a thing of the past! Michelin and GM are working on an airless, puncture-proof tire that they say will make the roads safer for drivers. DETAILS: https://bit.ly/2F7HAcf

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Jun 9, 2019

Atomic Rockets

Posted by in categories: military, space travel

Among science fiction stories with space flight, the overwhelming majority are about combat, both between spacecraft and between futuristic ground troops. Not to mention the occasional starship marine assault trying to board a hostile ship while in flight. Yes, there are a few non-combat stories, mostly about exploration, but space combat is here to stay.

This is just the natural continuation of the process of militarisation of space

Which naturally leads to questions about the space branch of the military of various nations. The “astro-military” in other words. Some may start out as a subdivision of an existing branch and eventually grow large enough to split off (such as how the US Army Air Corps spit off to become the US Air Force in 1947). Some may grow large enough to absorb other branches of the military, others may be reabsorbed into other branches. In William Keith’s Galactic Marines series one of the themes of the early novels is how the US Marines fight being absorbed or eliminated. Their solution is diversifying their mission to include performing assaults on Luna and Mars.

Continue reading “Atomic Rockets” »

Jun 9, 2019

Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have profound visions for humanity’s future in space. Here’s how the billionaires’ goals compare

Posted by in categories: Elon Musk, space travel

SpaceX founder Elon Musk wants people to live on Mars, while Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos envisions 1 trillion of us working in giant space tubes.

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Jun 9, 2019

New prostate cancer test will give men ‘peace of mind’ that they will never develop the disease, scientists say

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, government

A new one-off prostate cancer test at the age of 55 promises to give men “peace of mind” that they will never develop the disease, scientists have revealed.

The 10-minute scan, which could be rolled out in supermarkets and shopping centres, detects dangerous cancers years before they cause any harm while ignoring growths that do not pose a threat.

Subject to a government-funded trial beginning this summer, the new MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) technique should enable the world’s first universal screening programme for prostate cancer.

Continue reading “New prostate cancer test will give men ‘peace of mind’ that they will never develop the disease, scientists say” »