SciTech Digest - 12/2017.
SciTech Digest - 12/2017.
Permalink here: http://www.scitechdigest.net/2017/03/superfluid-helium-entropy-military.html
Superfluid Helium entropy, Military robots, Metal foams, DeepMind memory trick, Persistent DNA origami, Transparent ceramics, How DNA is packaged, X-Raying integrated circuits, Cleavable cell control, Antenna-less smartphones.
1. Another Link Between Superfluid Helium & Black Holes
Yet another parallel between superfluid helium and black holes has been inferred, that being that the entropy of the system grows at the same rate as the area of the system and not the volume https://www.sciencenews.org/article/superfluid-helium-behaves-black-holes.
2. Military Robots
First, much bigger fully robotic tanks up to 20 tons in size will soon be entering service http://www.nextbigfuture.com/2017/03/future-of-completely-robotic-tanks-is.html, and second, in news surprising no one hacked commercial drones are being turned into Improvised Explosive Devices http://defense-update.com/20170306_drone_ieds.html.
3. Metal Foams & Laser Melted Structures
First, a new selective laser melting method can produce functionally graded crystallographic metallic materials with fine internal structures that convey different properties https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-03/ptgs-nao031017.php. Second, new composite metal foams show effective capabilities in ballistics armour, radiation shielding, and heat resistance https://news.ncsu.edu/2017/03/composite-metal-foams-2017/.
4. DeepMind’s Memory Trick
DeepMind shows how using a parameter known as neural episodic control results in an order of magnitude fewer interactions with the environment required to learn a task, and leading to much faster AI learning https://www.technologyreview.com/s/603868/how-deepminds-memory-trick-helps-ai-learn-faster/.
5. Long Life DNA Origami
Specifically designed block copolymers can now be created to self-assemble and envelop DNA origami structures, significantly boosting lifetime and resistance to decomposition in biological media https://tu-dresden.de/tu-dresden/newsportal/news/blockcopolymer-mizellisierung-als-schutzstrategie-fuer-dna-origami?set_language=en.
6. Super-Hard Transparent Ceramics
For the first time popular industrial ceramic cubic silicon nitride has been synthesised, resulting in a super-hard window resistant to harsh industrial conditions http://www.desy.de/news/news_search/index_eng.html?openDirectAnchor=1200&two_columns=1. It is the third hardest ceramic after diamond (but can withstand double the temperature) and boron nitride (which is not transparent).
7. How DNA is Packaged in a Cell
A new imaging technique known as Hi-C has allowed the first direct 3D structural images of DNA is packaged in a cell to be observed for the first time https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/03/heres-the-first-3d-glimpse-of-how-dna-is-packaged-up-in-a-single-cell/.
8. X-Rays of Integrated Circuits
X-Rays can now be used to produce complete 3D models of integrated circuits from conventional computer chips, and allowing such chips to be reverse engineered much more rapidly http://spectrum.ieee.org/nanoclast/semiconductors/processors/xray-ic-imaging. Interesting not just for competitor chip makers but also “personal” security given Vault7 leaks concerning deliberate hardware vulnerabilities.
9. Cleavable Cell Light Control
Cell processes can now be controlled in a new way with light via linking two proteins together via a molecular bridge that breaks in response to light of a certain wavelength, releasing the proteins to initiate their normal functions https://www.ualberta.ca/science/science-news/2017/march/biochemists-develop-new-way-to-control-cell-biology-with-light.
10. Antenna-less Smartphones
Fractus is a company trying to commercialise its antenna-less smartphone technology, which involves replacing the smartphone antenna with a much smaller component known as an antenna booster that co-opts the phone’s existing circuitry to radiate signals http://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/telecom/wireless/fractus-antennas-pitches-new-antennaless-smartphone-technology.
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Permalink here: http://www.scitechdigest.net/2017/03/superfluid-helium-entropy-military.html
Superfluid Helium entropy, Military robots, Metal foams, DeepMind memory trick, Persistent DNA origami, Transparent ceramics, How DNA is packaged, X-Raying integrated circuits, Cleavable cell control, Antenna-less smartphones.
1. Another Link Between Superfluid Helium & Black Holes
Yet another parallel between superfluid helium and black holes has been inferred, that being that the entropy of the system grows at the same rate as the area of the system and not the volume https://www.sciencenews.org/article/superfluid-helium-behaves-black-holes.
2. Military Robots
First, much bigger fully robotic tanks up to 20 tons in size will soon be entering service http://www.nextbigfuture.com/2017/03/future-of-completely-robotic-tanks-is.html, and second, in news surprising no one hacked commercial drones are being turned into Improvised Explosive Devices http://defense-update.com/20170306_drone_ieds.html.
3. Metal Foams & Laser Melted Structures
First, a new selective laser melting method can produce functionally graded crystallographic metallic materials with fine internal structures that convey different properties https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-03/ptgs-nao031017.php. Second, new composite metal foams show effective capabilities in ballistics armour, radiation shielding, and heat resistance https://news.ncsu.edu/2017/03/composite-metal-foams-2017/.
4. DeepMind’s Memory Trick
DeepMind shows how using a parameter known as neural episodic control results in an order of magnitude fewer interactions with the environment required to learn a task, and leading to much faster AI learning https://www.technologyreview.com/s/603868/how-deepminds-memory-trick-helps-ai-learn-faster/.
5. Long Life DNA Origami
Specifically designed block copolymers can now be created to self-assemble and envelop DNA origami structures, significantly boosting lifetime and resistance to decomposition in biological media https://tu-dresden.de/tu-dresden/newsportal/news/blockcopolymer-mizellisierung-als-schutzstrategie-fuer-dna-origami?set_language=en.
6. Super-Hard Transparent Ceramics
For the first time popular industrial ceramic cubic silicon nitride has been synthesised, resulting in a super-hard window resistant to harsh industrial conditions http://www.desy.de/news/news_search/index_eng.html?openDirectAnchor=1200&two_columns=1. It is the third hardest ceramic after diamond (but can withstand double the temperature) and boron nitride (which is not transparent).
7. How DNA is Packaged in a Cell
A new imaging technique known as Hi-C has allowed the first direct 3D structural images of DNA is packaged in a cell to be observed for the first time https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/03/heres-the-first-3d-glimpse-of-how-dna-is-packaged-up-in-a-single-cell/.
8. X-Rays of Integrated Circuits
X-Rays can now be used to produce complete 3D models of integrated circuits from conventional computer chips, and allowing such chips to be reverse engineered much more rapidly http://spectrum.ieee.org/nanoclast/semiconductors/processors/xray-ic-imaging. Interesting not just for competitor chip makers but also “personal” security given Vault7 leaks concerning deliberate hardware vulnerabilities.
9. Cleavable Cell Light Control
Cell processes can now be controlled in a new way with light via linking two proteins together via a molecular bridge that breaks in response to light of a certain wavelength, releasing the proteins to initiate their normal functions https://www.ualberta.ca/science/science-news/2017/march/biochemists-develop-new-way-to-control-cell-biology-with-light.
10. Antenna-less Smartphones
Fractus is a company trying to commercialise its antenna-less smartphone technology, which involves replacing the smartphone antenna with a much smaller component known as an antenna booster that co-opts the phone’s existing circuitry to radiate signals http://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/telecom/wireless/fractus-antennas-pitches-new-antennaless-smartphone-technology.
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